Greene King has disclosed its intention to launch 30 new franchise pubs within the current year. The company recently achieved a significant milestone by reaching 100 franchise Hive and Nest concept pubs.
In the year 2025, Greene King Pub Partners introduced 30 new franchise pubs, including the inaugural presence in Scotland under the Belhaven brand. Looking ahead to 2026, the company is set to extend its franchise operations 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 additions to the Greene King franchise pubs in 2025 include The Tarbet in Edinburgh, which marked the first Greene King franchise pub in Scotland following a £285,000 renovation. Additionally, The Dolphin in Melbourn transitioned into a Hive pub after a £570,000 investment, and the Two Poplars in Wokingham opened post a £450,000 transformation.
Penelope Bruce, Pub Partners Franchise Operations Director, expressed excitement at reaching the milestone of 100 franchise pubs and highlighted the continuous expansion of their franchise offerings. Greene King Pub Partners Managing Director, Dan Robinson, commended the growth of their franchise business in conjunction with their successful leased and tenanted pub operations.
In a recent initiative, Greene King offered complimentary pints of Guinness during the kickoff of the Six Nations rugby tournament. To claim a free pint, patrons had to reserve a table for any Six Nations game on February 7 through the Greene King website. This promotion was available at all Greene King sports pubs, including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse, and Belhaven, as part of the Fans Reunited campaign, endorsed by Rugby World Cup champions Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, shared that the Fans Reunited campaign celebrates the unifying role of sports and the pub atmosphere in bringing people together. By providing a free pint during the Guinness Six Nations, the aim is to encourage reconnections among fans and foster shared experiences over a pint, inspired by the rugby legends supporting the initiative.