Greene King has unveiled its strategy to introduce 30 new franchise pubs this year. The company recently achieved a significant milestone by reaching 100 franchise pubs under its Hive and Nest concept.

In the previous year, Greene King Pub Partners successfully launched 30 new franchise pubs, marking its entry into Scotland with the Belhaven brand. Looking ahead to 2026, the company plans to extend its franchise footprint to Wales and the Southwest of England with a series of upcoming openings.

Among the confirmed locations for this year are Millwrights in Aylesbury, The Freemasons Arms in Wigan, and The Flag Inn in Egerton. Notable franchise pub openings in 2025 included The Tarbet in Edinburgh, the first Greene King franchise pub in Scotland following a £285,000 renovation.

Penelope Bruce, the Director of Pub Partners Franchise Operations, expressed enthusiasm for reaching the milestone of 100 franchise pubs, highlighting the continuous growth of their franchise program. Greene King Pub Partners Managing Director, Dan Robinson, commended the positive trajectory of the franchise business, which complements their existing leased and tenanted pub operations.

Furthermore, Greene King recently offered complimentary pints of Guinness during the start of the Six Nations rugby tournament. To avail of this offer, patrons needed to book a table for any Six Nations game on February 7 through the Greene King website. This promotion was part of the Fans Reunited campaign, featuring Rugby World Cup champions Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.

Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, emphasized the significance of sports and the pub atmosphere in uniting people. The Fans Reunited initiative, launched in tandem with the Guinness Six Nations, aimed to reconnect fans over shared experiences, echoing the spirit of camaraderie celebrated by rugby legends.