Why Did Greggs plc Shares Rise on 13 November 2026?

Greggs plc (LSE:GRG) shares rose 0.09% to 2,360p on 13 November 2026. The UK food-on-the-go retailer remained in focus after its trading update for the first 19 weeks of 2026, published on 12 May 2026.

The update reported higher sales, improving like-for-like trading and unchanged full-year expectations.

Key Highlights

Total sales rose 7.5% to £800m. Like-for-like sales in company-managed shops grew 2.5% in the year to date, improving to 3.3% in the most recent 10 weeks.

The group opened 41 gross new shops, a net increase of 20, bringing the total to 2,759 at 9 May, of which 2,141 were company-managed and 618 were franchised.

About Greggs plc

Greggs is a UK food-on-the-go retailer known for its bakery products, sandwiches, hot drinks and breakfast items. It operates company-managed shops and works with Franchise partners.

The group also sells through partnerships, including with grocery retailers.

Shop Estate

Greggs continues to target around 120 net openings for the full year. In 2025 it opened 207 new shops, equal to four a week, with 2,739 shops trading at 27 December 2025.

Its expansion programme includes new locations in under-penetrated catchments and relocations to better sites, as well as smaller-format Bitesize Greggs shops for high-footfall locations.

Menu and Innovation

Management said menu development supported progress, with a focus on relevance, innovation and quality. Greggs has also expanded through delivery and digital channels.

Partnerships with franchisees and grocery retailers contributed to overall sales growth.

Supply Chain Investment

Supply chain capacity Investment is on track, including a Facility in Derby with phased operational roll-out from mid-2026. Greater capacity supports the planned growth of the shop estate.

The company expects cost Inflation of around 3% on a like-for-like basis in 2026, unchanged from earlier expectations.

FY25 Reference Points

For FY25, total sales were £2,151m, up 6.8%, with like-for-like sales in company-managed shops up 2.4%. Fourth-quarter total sales rose 7.4%.

Greggs ended 2025 with a net cash position of £47m.

Understanding Like-for-Like Sales

Like-for-like sales compare the performance of existing company-managed shops with the same period a year earlier, excluding new openings. Total sales include the contribution from new shops and franchise partners.

The difference between the two shows how much growth comes from the existing estate and how much from expansion.

Why the Update Matters for the Sector

Food-on-the-go retailers are followed for how they combine footfall, pricing and product range. Greggs' mix of company-managed shops, franchise partners and grocery partnerships shows how a Brand can reach customers through several formats.

The shop count is expected to rise towards 3,000 over the next few years.

Shop Formats and Reach

Greggs trades through company-managed shops, franchised units and partnerships. Of the 2,759 shops trading at 9 May 2026, 2,141 were company-managed and 618 were franchised, and 17 of the 41 openings in the period were with franchise partners.

The group has also opened its first airport shop outside the UK, which shows how the brand is extending its reach into travel locations. Smaller Bitesize formats are designed for prime locations where space is limited.

Different formats allow the group to match each location to customer needs, whether a traditional high street site, a retail park drive-thru, a transport hub or a compact unit in a busy area.

Key Growth Catalysts

New shop openings, menu development and Supply chain capacity give the group several routes to build sales. Franchise and grocery partnerships broaden reach.

Factors to Monitor

Consumer spending, cost inflation and weather can influence trading, and new shops take time to mature. Energy and wage costs also affect margins.

What Investors Should Watch Next

Investors may wish to follow like-for-like sales, the pace of net openings, supply chain delivery and the next trading update.

Conclusion

Greggs plc (LSE:GRG) rose 0.09% to 2,360p on 13 November 2026. Greggs reported sales growth of 7.5% and improving like-for-like trading, with full-year expectations unchanged. Further trading updates are the next reference points.