Travel food and beverage operator SSP Group is expanding its food and coffee offering in the UK by adding Greggs to its franchise partners, which also include Starbucks, LEON and M&S Simply Food
UK-based SSP Group has announced a franchise deal with food-to-go and coffee chain Greggs. The agreement will see an undisclosed number of Greggs stores launch in the second half of 2022 at existing SSP-operated locations across the UK.
The first Greggs location operated by SSP, which manages food and beverage outlets in high footfall transit hub units, has already opened at Derby Railway Station, UK.
“At SSP, we have a long history of bringing popular high street brands that customers love into travel locations. We’re delighted to have struck a deal with Greggs, which not only delivers a great core range, but is constantly innovating to meet evolving trends. The deal has also been welcomed by our regional travel clients, who are looking forward to the opportunity to bring an instantly recognisable food offer to their platforms and concourses, and we hope to be able to grow the partnership beyond these initial sites,” said Richard Lewis, CEO, SSP UK & Ireland.
SSP Group reported that airport disruption in the UK in May hampered UK sales in its third quarter. However, increased domestic and leisure travel in Continental Europe contributed to revenues growth of 222% on the same period in 2021.
The company operates its own café brands, Caffè Ritazza, Camden Food Co., Soul + Grain and Upper Crust, at airports and rail stations across the UK alongside franchised outlets of Starbucks, Grind, LEON and M&S Simply Food.
The addition of Greggs to its portfolio follows the UK food-to-go and coffee chain reporting robust sales growth of 27% in the first half of 2022, reaching £694.5m ($847m).
Greggs recently opened its 400th franchised store in the UK and expects its franchise model to account for 20% of its total estate by 2028.
“We are pleased to team up with SSP as our newest franchise partner. We know that high quality food-on-the-go and convenience go hand-in-hand and this partnership further expands our presence in busy travel hubs, giving us the opportunity to bring our range of products to more customers each day,” said Malcolm Copland, Greggs Commercial Director.
