Greggs

File:11 Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, October 2022 02.jpg

Greggs was founded by John Gregg in 1951. The first shop stood on Gosforth High Street.{{cite web|url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/print/176862732.html|title=Earning a crust; How famous bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries Remember When a blast from the past.|work=Entrepreneur|date=19 March 2008|access-date=16 February 2010}} When Gregg died in 1964, the bakery was taken over by his son, Ian, assisted by his brother Colin (who in 2017 was convicted and jailed for the sexual abuse of children).{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/30/son-of-greggs-founder-jailed-for-more-than-13-years-for-child-sex-abuse |title=Son of Greggs founder jailed for more than 13 years for child sex abuse |agency=Press Association |date=30 March 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |language=en-GB |accessdate=19 August 2022}}

As Greggs of Gosforth, the first main factory on Christon Road on the Gosforth Industrial Estate opened on 30 April 1968.Newcastle Evening Chronicle Tuesday 30 April 1968, page 6

Major expansion took place at Greggs in the 1970s, including the acquisitions of other bakeries such as Glasgow-based Rutherglen in 1972, Leeds-based Thurston's in 1974, Broomfields the Bakers, London, Bowketts the Bakers in Kent, Tooks the Bakers (East Anglia) and Price's (Manchester) in 1976.{{cite web|title=history|url=http://www.greggs.co.uk/about_us/history|publisher=Greggs|access-date=16 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116091108/http://www.greggs.co.uk/about_us/history|archive-date=16 January 2010}}

In 1994, the company acquired the Bakers Oven chain of bakers' shops from Allied Bakeries. In 1999, Greggs rebranded its one hundred Braggs shops as Greggs of the Midlands, and its Leeds-based Thurston chain as Greggs of Yorkshire.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/greggsaa.htm|title=Greggs|publisher=Ukbusinesspark.co.uk|access-date=16 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813112930/http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/greggsaa.htm|archive-date=13 August 2010}}

In 2008, Greggs rebranded its 165 Bakers Oven shops as Greggs so they could benefit from its national advertising campaign.{{cite web|date=9 December 2008|url=http://www.ir.greggs.plc.uk/greggsplc/html.jsp?id=128|title=Chief Executive's Review and Trading Update|publisher=Greggs plc|access-date=10 March 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505112309/http://www.ir.greggs.plc.uk/greggsplc/html.jsp?id=128|archive-date=5 May 2009}} The company opened its 1,500th premises, in York, in 2011.{{cite web| url= http://corporate.greggs.co.uk/assets/Uploads/Greggs-IMS-11-5-11-FINAL2.pdf| title= Greggs plc interim management statement| date= 11 May 2011| access-date= 24 July 2011| publisher= Greggs plc| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110813055125/http://corporate.greggs.co.uk/assets/Uploads/Greggs-IMS-11-5-11-FINAL2.pdf| archive-date= 13 August 2011| df= dmy-all}}

In 2013, Greggs replaced its CEO Ken McMeikan with Punch Taverns CEO Roger Whiteside. McMeikan left the firm for Brake Bros.{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Nathalie|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/leisure/9823601/Greggs-poaches-Punch-Taverns-chief.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/leisure/9823601/Greggs-poaches-Punch-Taverns-chief.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Greggs poaches Punch Taverns chief|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=24 January 2013|access-date=25 August 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8330573.stm|title=How did Greggs conquer the High Street?|newspaper=BBC News|date=10 November 2009|access-date=10 November 2009}}{{cite news|last=Rankin|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/09/greggs-slows-sales-decline-bakery-chain|title=Greggs slows sales decline as it battles to win back customers|newspaper=The Guardian|date=9 October 2013|access-date=25 August 2016}}

In 2013, Greggs began to transition out of the bakery market, reasoning that it couldn't compete with supermarkets on that front. Instead, the company switched to focusing solely on "food on the go" after discovering that 80% of its business was in that market.{{cite news|url=http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/greggs-ceo-roger-whiteside-talks-turnarounds-m-s-vr-pasties/leadership-lessons/article/1413205|title=Greggs CEO Roger Whiteside talks turnarounds, M&S and VR pasties|access-date=10 November 2016}} Many of its stores now open earlier and close later, in order to target those going to and coming back from work,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/10/04/more-people-are-going-to-work-on-a-greggs-as-strong-growth-at-br/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005065332/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/10/04/more-people-are-going-to-work-on-a-greggs-as-strong-growth-at-br/ |archive-date=5 October 2016 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=More people are going to work on a Greggs as strong growth at breakfast time boosts sales|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=4 October 2016|access-date=10 November 2016}} expanding its breakfast menu,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/09/salads-and-flat-whites-boost-greggs-despite-high-street-lull|title=Salads and flat-whites boost Greggs despite high street lull|last=Farrell|first=Sean|date=9 May 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=10 November 2016}} and discontinuing the sale of bread and scones in many of its stores.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/greggs-bakers-stopping-selling-bread-5724338|title=Greggs the bakers are stopping selling bread and here's why|last=McCrum|first=Kirstie|date=19 May 2015|newspaper=Mirror|access-date=10 November 2016}}

In 2014, the company requested help from Google when an image of the Greggs logo, altered to include a parodic fake slogan referring to the firm's customers as "scum", was presented in Google search results as the actual company logo – falling foul of imperfections in the "Google algorithm".{{cite news|last=Cresci|first=Elena|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/19/why-did-an-offensive-greggs-logo-show-up-in-googles-web-search|title=Why did an offensive Greggs logo show up in Google's web search?|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 August 2014|access-date=25 August 2016}} The firm's lighthearted social media response, which included a tweet sent to Google's official Twitter account offering doughnuts in exchange for fixing the problem, was noted as a "lesson in Twitter crisis management".{{cite web|title=Greggs gives lesson in Twitter crisis management after fake logo debacle|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1308507/greggs-gives-lesson-twitter-crisis-management-fake-logo-debacle|website=Marketing Magazine|access-date=5 November 2015|last=Bold|first=Ben|date=20 August 2014}}{{cite news|title=Was Greggs' response to its logo mishap a stroke of genius?|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/greggs-google-fail-was-the-bakerys-response-to-its-logo-mishap-a-stroke-of-marketing-genius-9681928.html|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=5 November 2015|last=Usborne|first=Simon|date=22 August 2014}}

In 2016, Greggs moved their head office from Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne{{cite web|title=Bakery giant Greggs plans cafe move in Newcastle city centre|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/bakery-giant-greggs-plans-cafe-9892847|website=ChronicleLive|access-date=23 August 2019|last=Ford|first=Coreena|date=20 August 2015}} to Quorum Business Park, Longbenton, North Tyneside.{{cite web|title=Bakery giant Greggs set for Quorum Business Park move with Sanderson Weatherall help|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/bakery-giant-greggs-set-quorum-10157375|website=ChronicleLive|access-date=23 August 2019|last=Ford|first=Coreena|date=29 September 2015}}{{cite web|title=Jobs on the way as US giant Sitel takes largest Newcastle office letting this year|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/jobs-way-giant-sitel-takes-11855674|website=ChronicleLive|access-date=23 August 2019|last=Ford|first=Coreena|date=7 September 2016}}

In that same year, Colin Gregg was accused of preying upon children, partly using his philanthropic role within the company. He was convicted in March 2017 on nine counts of indecent assault and was sentenced to imprisonment until at least 2030.

In 2020, all shops closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51999604 Coronavirus: Greggs to close all stores to prevent spread] BBC News 23 March 2020

In 2022, Greggs opened its largest location in a Primark store in Birmingham. A queue formed outside the shop 30 minutes before the grand opening, with some people running under the barriers as they were opened. A collaborative clothing range, "Greggs X Primark", was also released.{{cite web |title=Tasty by Greggs cafe and clothing collab with Primark announced |url=https://www.greggs.co.uk/news/greggs-announce-tasty-cafe-and-clothing-collab-with-primark|accessdate=24 May 2022}}

In response to the ongoing disruption, Greggs was forced to close all stores on 24 March 2020, furloughing most of its employees. On 24 April 2020, it was decided Greggs were carrying out a controlled trial of 20 stores in Newcastle with regard to safety measures taken in response to COVID-19. This was later called off; due to the amount of press coverage it was deemed dangerous and trials were carried out behind closed doors at undisclosed locations throughout the UK.{{cite web|title=Welcome to|url=https://www.greggsemployeeinformation.co.uk/|access-date=6 June 2020|publisher=Greggs Employee Information|archive-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606174544/https://www.greggsemployeeinformation.co.uk/|url-status=dead}}

After a successful trial Greggs announced it was opening 800 shops in June 2020, with all the new measures in place including perspex screens, social distancing markers and door staff. The company also said that reduced trading hours and a reduced menu would be in place until further notice. Greggs opened all shops with the new measures near the end of July 2020.{{cite web|title=Click and Collect|url=https://www.greggs.co.uk/clickandcollect|access-date=6 June 2020|publisher=Greggs Collect}} Some food items were reintroduced to the menu in September 2020.{{cite web|url=https://bakeryinfo.co.uk/finished-goods/greggs-expands-its-menu-following-post-lockdown-reductions/648033.article|title=Greggs expands its menu following post-lockdown reductions|first=Anne|last=Bruce |date=4 September 2020|website=British Baker|accessdate=12 October 2021}} In November 2020, the company announced it would be cutting 820 jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the company's sales.{{cite web|title=Greggs set to cut 820 jobs as coronavirus lockdown hits bakery chain's sales|url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/greggs-set-cut-820-jobs-095609854.html|access-date=14 November 2020|website=uk.finance.yahoo.com|date=14 November 2020 }}

• Group Chairman: Ian Durant (since May 2013){{Cite web |date=14 September 2012 |title=Derek Netherton to retire as chairman of Greggs |url=https://www.poandpo.com/who-is-promoted/derek-netherton-to-retire-as-chairman-of-greggs/ |website=Post Online Media}}
• Chief Executive: Roisin Currie (since May 2022){{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Ian |date=6 January 2022 |title=Greggs appoints Roisin Currie as new chief executive |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2ffe5f17-4684-4d93-aab6-1a16fd2ecb83 |website=FT}}

1. Ian Gregg (1984–2002){{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Natalie |date=1 June 2013 |title=Bringing home the bread for 50 years |url=https://www.ft.com/content/641b1b48-c483-11e2-9ac0-00144feab7de |website=Financial Times}}
2. Derek Netherton (2002–2013)

This post was formerly known as Managing Director.

1. John Gregg (1939–1964){{Cite web |last=Cumming |first=Ed |date=5 March 2016 |title=How Greggs conquered Britain: 'Nobody can quite believe how well it has done' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2016/mar/05/greggs-conquered-britain-bakery-profit-sausage-rolls |website=The Guardian}}
2. Ian Gregg (1964–1984)
3. Sir Michael Darrington (1984–2008){{Cite web |date=10 April 2008 |title=Sir Michael announces retirement from Greggs |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/2186307.sir-michael-announces-retirement-greggs/ |website=The Northern Echo}}
4. Ken McMeikan (2008–2012){{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Zoe |date=10 December 2012 |title=Greggs chief and 'pasty tax' victor quits |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/10/greggs-chief-pasty-tax-quits |website=The Guardian}}
5. Roger Whiteside (2013–2022)

File:Gregg's, 115 Albion Street, Leeds (14th November 2018).jpg, West Yorkshire.]]

In 2019, the chain had over 2,000 outlets, nine regional bakeries that make products local to the area (such as Scotch Pie in Scotland), and also employed 22,000 staff.{{cite web|title=Greggs 2000th shop|url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/business/greggs-opens-its-2000th-store-south-shields-ps21m-transport-interchange-see-first-pictures-inside-491857|access-date=19 May 2015|work=BBC News}} Some items are only sold in particular regions.{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/food-and-drink/greggs-secret-menu-full-list-items-only-order-some-parts-uk-318909|title=Greggs secret menu: full list of the 23 items that you can only order in some parts of the country|date=26 July 2019|website=inews.co.uk|accessdate=12 October 2021}} The company also sells some of its products – such as bakes, melts and pasties – through the supermarket chain Iceland.{{cite web|url=http://groceries.iceland.co.uk/search?text=Greggs|title=Search Greggs|website=Iceland Groceries|access-date=1 December 2016}}

In October 2016, Greggs announced that it would be launching a delivery service on a trial basis, with plans to implement it nationwide if the trial proved to be successful.{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update/2016-10-19/greggs-unveils-new-delivery-service/|title=Greggs unveils new delivery service|newspaper=ITV News|date=19 October 2016|access-date=1 December 2016}} The initial trial was held in Cobalt Business Park in North Tyneside, and the next trial phase encompassed the city's other 29 Greggs stores.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/greggs-delivery-service-sausage-rolls-9069712|title=Steak bake lovers rejoice! Greggs has launched a delivery service|last=Ford|first=Coreena|date=18 October 2016|newspaper=mirror|access-date=1 December 2016}}

In June 2017, Greggs opened their first Drive-through, at Irlam Gateway Service Station in Salford.{{cite news|last=Boult|first=Adam|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/news/worlds-first-drive-through-greggs-now-open/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/news/worlds-first-drive-through-greggs-now-open/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The world's first drive-through Greggs is now open|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=8 June 2017|access-date=12 June 2017}}{{cbignore}} Subsequent drive-through outlets opened in Ashby-de-la-Zouch,{{cite web |last1=Waldron |first1=Ben |title=Country's second Greggs 24-hour drive-thru to open in Ashby |url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/burton/greggs-drive-thru-opening-ashby-1638705 |website=Derby Telegraph |date=4 June 2018}} Bradford,{{Cite web |date=11 May 2023 |title=Greggs' first drive-thru in Bradford opens today |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/greggs-first-drive-thru-bradford-094520642.html |access-date=10 June 2023 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}} Blackburn,{{cite news|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/16835315.third-drive-thru-greggs-in-uk-to-open-at-euro-garages-site/ |title=Third drive-thru Greggs in UK to open at Euro Garages site |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=12 September 2018 |access-date=5 October 2018}} and Newcastle.{{cite web|url=https://bakeryinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/21503/Greggs_opens_fourth_drive-through_in_Newcastle.html|title=Greggs opens fourth drive-through in Newcastle |website=British Baker|access-date=22 September 2019}} Greggs are trialling certain drive-thru stores being open 24 hours a day.

In 2023, Greggs was involved in a dispute over operating 24 hours in Leicester Square after the location was refused an overnight license by Westminster Council.{{Cite web |title=Greggs wins battle to sell late-night sausage rolls in London's Leicester Square |url=https://news.sky.com/story/greggs-wins-battle-to-sell-late-night-sausage-rolls-in-londons-leicester-square-12882267 |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=Sky News |language=en}} Greggs appealed and was granted permission for late-night opening, but not 24 hours.{{Cite news |first=Sarah |last=Butler |date=16 May 2023 |title=Greggs wins battle over sale of hot food in Leicester Square |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/16/greggs-wins-battle-over-sale-of-hot-food-in-leicester-square |access-date=16 May 2023}} In July 2023, the company applied for licenses for 24 hour opening at sites in Canterbury and Liverpool.{{Cite web |date=4 July 2023 |title=A 24-Hour Greggs Is (Hopefully) Coming To Two UK Cities! |url=https://www.delish.com/uk/food-news/a44426675/24-hour-greggs/ |access-date=3 November 2023 |website=Delish |language=en-GB}}

In September 2011, Greggs opened its first Greggs Moment, a 104-seater coffee shop, in its home town of Newcastle on Northumberland Street.{{cite web|last=Dent|first=Karen|date=29 September 2011|title=Greggs open first coffee shop in Newcastle|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/greggs-open-first-coffee-shop-1404990|work=nechronicle}} This store was then followed by one in the nearby MetroCentre in August 2012,{{cite web|date=13 August 2012|title=Greggs open coffee shop at Gateshead Metrocentre|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/greggs-open-coffee-shop-gateshead-1369376|access-date=7 June 2015|work=nechronicle}} with five outlets in operation by February 2013.{{cite web|title=Greggs Moment headed for Midlands|url=http://www.bakeryinfo.co.uk/news/archivestory.php/aid/11240/Greggs_Moment_headed_for_Midlands.html|access-date=7 June 2015|work=bakeryinfo.co.uk}} In August 2013, the company announced that it would discontinue its attempt to enter the coffee market, and instead focus on selling coffee from its existing stores.{{cite news|date=6 August 2013|title=Greggs shares hit after sales and profits fall|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23585083|access-date=25 August 2016}}

Greggs also has a small number of outlet shops in Northern and Central England, Scotland and two in Wales, selling unsold stock, mis-shapes and factory rejects at a discounted price, under the name Greggs Outlet.{{cite web |title=Everything you need to know about Greggs Outlet Shops |url=https://www.greggs.co.uk/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-greggs-outlet-shops |website=greggs.co.uk |access-date=30 August 2023}}{{cite web|title=Greggs outlet shops: where are they located and what can I buy from them?|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/lifestyle/food-and-drink/greggs-outlet-shops-where-are-they-located-and-what-can-i-buy-them-819396|access-date=22 October 2021|website=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=24 October 2019 }} They were started in 1972 in Arthur's Hill, Newcastle under the name of the Greggs 'Seconds' shop.{{cite web|title=Welcome to the Underground World of Discount Greggs|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/welcome-to-the-underground-world-of-discount-greggs/|access-date=22 October 2021|website=Vice.com|date=23 October 2018 }}

File:Gregg's meat-free sausage roll (home-baked) 2021 05.jpg

Products include sausage rolls,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/08/02/greggs-we-might-be-going-gluten-free-but-nothing-will-beat-our-s/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803222944/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/08/02/greggs-we-might-be-going-gluten-free-but-nothing-will-beat-our-s/ |archive-date=3 August 2016 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|first=Ashley|last=Armstrong|newspaper=The Telegraph|title=Greggs: We might be going gluten-free but nothing will beat our sausage rolls|date=2 August 2016|access-date=15 November 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/traditional-retailers/bakers/greggs-trials-cold-sausage-roll-four-pack/233200.article|title=Greggs trials cold sausage roll four-pack|last=Halliwell|first=James |website=The Grocer |access-date=8 November 2016}} vegan sausage rolls,{{cite news|first=Rebecca |last=Smithers |access-date=6 January 2020|title=Greggs launches vegan sausage roll|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/02/greggs-launches-vegan-sausage-roll|work=The Guardian|date=2 January 2019|issn=0261-3077}}{{cite web |title=Greggs: Vegan sausage roll helps boost profit forecast for Britain's biggest baker |url=https://news.sky.com/story/greggs-upgrades-profit-forecast-on-strong-customer-driven-sales-growth-11859260 |website=Sky News |access-date=8 December 2019 |date=11 November 2019}}{{cite news|first=Molly|last=Blackall|access-date=6 January 2020|title=Burger King's new plant-based burger is not suitable for vegans|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/06/burger-kings-new-plant-based-burger-is-not-suitable-for-vegans|work=The Guardian|date=6 January 2020|issn=0261-3077}}{{cite news|first=Sarah|last=Butler|title=Greggs to pay workers £7m bonus after vegan sausage roll success|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/08/greggs-to-pay-workers-7m-bonus-after-vegan-sausage-roll-success|work=The Guardian|date=8 January 2020|issn=0261-3077|access-date=8 January 2020}} bacon rolls,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/grg/8047074/Greggs-puts-porridge-on-the-breakfast-menu-as-bacon-butties-boost-sales.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/grg/8047074/Greggs-puts-porridge-on-the-breakfast-menu-as-bacon-butties-boost-sales.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Greggs puts porridge on the breakfast menu as bacon butties boost sales|date=7 October 2010|access-date=22 November 2016|first=Amy|last=Wilson|newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} croissants, pains au chocolat,{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/greggs-add-croissants-breakfast-menu-1420982|title=Greggs add croissants to their breakfast menu|publisher=Chronicle Live|date=6 October 2010|access-date=22 November 2016|first=Karen|last=Dent}} sandwiches,{{cite news|first=Javaria|last=Akbar|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/what-i-learned-about-sandwiches-from-working-at-greggs/|title=What I Learned About Sandwiches From Working at Greggs|date=11 November 2014|newspaper=VICE|access-date=22 November 2016}} and soups.{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/food-drink-news/revealed-greggs-unveils-new-400-11246543|title=Revealed: Greggs unveils new 400 calorie or less menu|last=Rodger|first=James|date=27 April 2016|newspaper=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=1 December 2016}}{{cite news|last=Farrell|first=Sean|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/oct/06/greggs-new-menu-shops-boost-sales|date=6 October 2015|access-date=15 November 2016|title=New Greggs menu and smarter shops boost sales ahead of forecast|newspaper=The Guardian}}

In Channel 4's Tricks Of The Restaurant Trade, it was discovered that Greggs' cream of tomato soup contained much more sugar than was disclosed in its nutritional information.{{cite news|first=Natasha|last=Hinde|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tricks-of-the-restaurant-trade-shocking-discovery-sugar-content-in-greggs-soup_uk_583c4b3de4b0207d1918cd5f|title='Tricks Of The Restaurant Trade' Makes A Shocking Discovery About Greggs Tomato Soup|date=29 November 2016|newspaper=The Huffington Post|access-date=1 December 2016}}

In July 2002, American actress and model Milla Jovovich, a fan of the store and its pasties,{{cite news| date=9 July 2002|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2118134.stm|title= Milla munches Geordie fare|publisher=BBC News|access-date = 16 April 2007}} said that she would be willing to become the "face of Greggs" in a new marketing campaign if the firm approached her. However, no such approach was made.{{cite news| date=8 April 2007|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2007/04/08/stmilla108.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507043242/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2007/04/08/stmilla108.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 May 2007|title= Slav to love|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|access-date = 16 April 2007}}

In February 2014, Greggs launched an electronic loyalty scheme app called "Greggs Rewards".{{cite news|url=http://www.eagleeye.com/greggs-launches-mobile-payment-app-with-built-in-loyalty/|title=Greggs launches mobile payment app with built in loyalty – Eagle Eye|date=26 February 2014|newspaper=Eagle Eye|access-date=22 November 2016}}

In March 2012, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne proposed to simplify the taxing of takeaway food. In the United Kingdom, most food intended to be cooked and eaten at home is zero rated, meaning that businesses do not have to charge their customers the standard VAT on those products.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/vat-businesses/vat-rates|title=Businesses and charging VAT – GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|access-date=10 November 2016}}

With the pasty tax, any food besides freshly baked bread which is sold while above room temperature would be subject to the 20% VAT charge with no exception for intended serving temperature. Chairman of the company, Derek Netherton warned that such a tax would lead to "further unemployment, high street closures and reduced investment".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/may/16/greggs-pasty-tax-sales-profits|title=Greggs warns pasty tax could hit sales and profits|last=Neate|first=Rupert|date=16 May 2012|newspaper=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=10 November 2016}} Greggs participated in a campaign to reverse this decision, which became known as the "pasty tax" or "Pasty Gate".{{cite book|title=VAT Notice 701/14 Catering and take-away food|publisher=HM Revenue & Customs|url=http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_PublicNoticesAndInfoSheets&propertyType=document&columns=1&id=HMCE_CL_000118#P67_4124|date=October 2011}}

An eight part documentary series, called Greggs: More Than Meats The Pie, which goes behind the scenes of the bakery and all its areas, was broadcast on Sky1 and Sky1 HD in April 2013.{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Samantha|url=http://www.bakeryinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/11466/Greggs_TV_series_airs_in_April.html|title=Greggs TV series airs in April|publisher=British Baker|date=19 April 2013|access-date=25 August 2016}} Sky revealed the documentary programme's first episode was Sky1's number one original show in April, with a final total of 1.27 million viewers.{{cite web|last=Jeffery|first=Morgan|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/revolution/news/a485533/revolution-arrow-revealed-as-skys-most-watched-shows-in-april/|title='Revolution', 'Arrow' revealed as Sky's most-watched shows in April|publisher=Digital Spy|date=29 May 2013|access-date=25 August 2016}}

In 2022, Greggs signed the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), which calls for the more ethical treatment and slaughter of farmed chickens. As of 2024, 86.6% of its chickens were reared with a stocking density of 30kg per square metre or less. Greggs aims to reach 100% by the end of 2025.{{Cite web |title=Animal welfare standards remain a worry as chicken commitments wane |url=https://www.ingredientsnetwork.com/animal-welfare-standards-remain-a-worry-as-news126860.html |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=www.ingredientsnetwork.com}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Greggs}}

• [http://corporate.greggs.co.uk Corporate site]
• [http://www.greggs.co.uk Consumer site]
• [http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=GRG.L Yahoo profile]

{{UK Food}}

{{FTSE 250 Index constituents}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1939 establishments in England

Category:Bakeries of the United Kingdom

Category:British companies established in 1939

Category:Companies based in Newcastle upon Tyne

Category:Companies in the FTSE 250 Index

Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange

Category:Doughnut shops

Category:English brands

Category:Fast-food chains of the United Kingdom

Category:Food and drink companies established in 1939

Category:Restaurants established in 1939

Category:Retail companies established in 1939

Category:Retail companies of the United Kingdom