Greggs unveils ambitious expansion plans
The firm, which is pumping more than £80m into its bakery network over the next five years, posted a 2.1% rise in sales in the 13 weeks to October 2.
Breakfast sales had been particularly strong, with the bacon roll now the best-selling sandwich line, said the firm, which is planning to extend its breakfast range withcroissants, pain au chocolat and porridge.
Like-for-like sales in the final quarter would be "broadly flat and therefore marginally positive over the year as a whole", said chief executive Ken McMeikan.
“Construction of our replacement bakery in Newcastle upon Tyne is progressing well, and is scheduled to begin production in mid-2011. We have received planning permission for our new cake and confectionery bakery in Penrith and commence building later this month ready to open in summer 2011.
“We have also submitted a planning application for a new bakery in Wiltshire to enable us to unlock the significant growth opportunities we have identified in the South and South West."
Clegg Food Projects said it had already started work on the design and build of the new 80,000 sq ft Greggs bakery in Longbenton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Md Stephen Giltrap said: “This factory will be the eleventh project we have carried out for Greggs in less than 10 years."
