Why is there no Greggs store outside of the UK

[SunshineCorner]

I always wonder why Greggs doesn't have any shops overseas. I've definitely never seen them outside the UK. Coming from Japan, I really like their steak bake, and I'm absolutely sure they'd be super popular over there, even if they cost a bit more.

they have Pret in lots of airport's too - LA, Houston, Kos for example

There is Greggs in New Zealand as my friend's daughter works in one!

I'd be down to open a franchise in Canada. Loads of Brits here. You can get sausage rolls and pasty's but they're just not 'right'. See also fish & chips. Lots of what they think is aBritish chippy but not a battered sausage to be found.

Have never been in a Greggs. The customers always look like they'd happily chin you.

Would happily swap for a bakery from any other country, I can’t stand Greggs, beige tasteless stodge. Ever their sandwiches are rubbish.

@TY78910 I LOVE cinnamon socials from Ole & Steen. They are just delicious (and I write that as someone who usually has zero interest in cinnamon buns etc). A Swedish colleague and I used to walk to O&S to get morning coffee every so often and bring back an entire cinnamon social for our dept. It was always long gone by 10am. 😛

I last went in a Greggs in the early 1980s. And that was only because my best friend at school liked them (I preferred another bakery). They’re certainly not aspirational. All I can assume is that they’re popular because they’re cheap and some people have very low standards.

In the countries I’ve been too they have different chain supermarkets and lots of local independent bakeries. All providing much better quality goods for the same price or less than here.

Why do you want one group in charge of food supply everywhere?? Be careful what you wish for!

They tried it about 20 years ago in Belgium. Opened about 20 shops and they never made any money so swiftly closed them again after.

Perhaps we don't want to share!!

It was a very sad Sunday when I found Shepherds Bush Central line tube shut as I fancied a tea and veggie sausage roll in the Greggs in the station!

Don't hold back. Tell it as you see it. I'll say the unspeakable eating the uneatable.

That's when they aren't robbing the shelves. But for some reason Greggs is popular. No sourdough there.

Well, a lot of us live in countries with a very rich, old and engraved pastry and bread culture, and have pretty high standards as far as baked goods go. Because we have so many wonderful bakeries that bake everything from fresh and scratch on literally every street corner, a place like Greggs would most likely not be popular here. I have tried Greggs a few times when I have been t the UK...it's not the worst thing I have ever eaten, but it certainly doesn't compete with my very average local bakery.

Also, the prices at Greggs are kind of high when you consider that

1. Their stuff come from a factory, and aren't freshly baked daily
2. My local bakery is only slightly more expensive than Greggs. And I live in a city that's notorious for being one of the most expensive in the world. So yeah...I would rather pay a few pence or a pound extra to get better quality baked goods.

@WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing. I can’t disagree with you at all ( and I’m no skinny Minnie myself) but I do eat well - it just feels like hot pastry and slop to me .

I'm going to Cyprus this week.. yes those Feta ones are to die for.!!!!😋😋😋😋

@RobinEllacotStrike yep Greggs do not sell hot food. If it is hot it is because it just happens to be out of the oven, hot food means added VAT. I have a teen who has a Saturday job in Greggs. They are really good enployers, she started 2 years ago at 16 and they did not pay the really low pay her friends had in other chains. Now at uni they had a policy that actively helps student find a branch in their uni town and return to work locally in the holidays. Staff have profit share, a welfare scheme, double pay on bank holidays, no zero hours so holiday and sick pay as well as being paid a living wage. And 50% off products with free hot drinks when on shift.

There is so much of snobbery about Greggs and it says more about people posting than the chain. They have funded breakfast clubs for years, have their own charity that helps out disadvantaged families and their unsold food goes to outlets in disadvantaged areas. It does not pretend to be selling high end products and no one is forced to go into them, but their expansion speaks for itself.

Thank you everyone for your comment 🤗

It's interesting to hear about Japanese people's fascination with European, especially British culture! I saw some comments criticising Greggs' food, which I definitely don't agree with. For the price, I think their products - especially the steak bake - are absolutely delicious. I'm pretty confident they'd do well as a fast-food chain over there. When I was last back home, I noticed there are some Costa Coffee, and I've heard they've been expanding even more since then. That really shows how locals are open to try something new.

Its great to know Greggs are such excellent employers!

They are certainly popular. I don't eat that kind of food these days but my kids love the sausage rolls still & I enjoy their coffee.

I do wish their savoury food was hot though.

They did this a while back

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/greggs-takes-new-hot-dog-7828711

There was a fascinating programme on last night Greggs v McDonalds. I never knew how much in competition they are.... so so much.

I was put off the Greggs sausage rolls they talked about in the programme. It only has 45% pork in its sausage meat and one sausage roll is 660 calories!

I make my own, taste nicer, far more healthy

Greggs are in Northern Ireland but they haven’t come south of the border yet.
Unlike M&S, Boots, Tesco, Clarks, Superdrug etc