Greggs reported strong first-half results for 2026, with sales rising to £1.1 billion, a 7.2% increase compared to the same period last year, and pre-tax profits climbing by approximately 20% to £76 million. The bakery chain’s performance reflected its adaptation to the UK’s increasingly hot summers, as well as ongoing strategic expansion efforts.

The company attributed its resilience during a series of heatwaves to a revamped menu featuring products more suited to warmer weather. New offerings such as iced matcha lattes, blueberry iced drinks, and an expanded range of salads including chicken caesar and prawn pasta have attracted customers seeking lighter options. A chicken roll launched in April was also cited as a notable success. Chief Executive Roisin Currie acknowledged that consumer habits shift during hot weather—“when temperatures get above 30 degrees, people start to eat less”—and said the company had learned from last summer’s slowdown to develop a more weather-resistant range.

Greggs expanded its store network by a net total of 34 new outlets during the first half of the year, bringing the total to 2,773 locations across the UK. The company maintained plans to open between 100 and 110 net new shops in 2026, slightly below its earlier target of 120, citing a more selective approach to location choices and property market conditions. The bakery also plans to introduce 10 new “Greggs Express” convenience units featuring self-service coffee and food options. Over the longer term, Greggs aims to increase its estate to approximately 3,500 outlets.

The increase in sales was supported by both expansion and like-for-like growth, though the latter showed some moderation. Company-managed stores posted a like-for-like sales rise of 2.1%, down from 2.6% a year earlier, while franchised stores experienced slower growth, partly due to operational challenges faced by a key franchise partner undergoing structural changes. Currie highlighted ongoing efforts to build supply chain infrastructure capable of supporting the company’s growth ambitions.

Greggs also indicated that it does not plan further price increases this year, pointing to hedging arrangements covering around 90% of its energy costs and a stabilization of commodity prices such as cocoa and coffee. Currie emphasized the company’s focus on delivering value to customers amid inflationary pressures and stated that inflation forecasts had eased.

The company’s positive update was well received by investors, with shares rising nearly 19% to their highest level in over a year. Despite concerns raised by some analysts and consumers last summer about the potential for “peak Greggs” following sales disruptions caused by hot weather, the bakery has demonstrated resilience through menu innovation and targeted growth strategies. Currie signaled confidence in the brand’s ongoing appeal and the potential for further expansion across diverse locations, including motorways, travel hubs, industrial sites, and retail parks.