Greggs Overtakes Costa to Lead UK Branded Coffee Shops with 2,737 Outlets

Greggs overtook Costa Coffee to become the UK’s largest branded coffee shop operator, with 2,737 outlets versus Costa’s 2,707, according to Allegra World Coffee Portal’s 2026 report. The UK branded coffee shop market grew 3.5% in 2025 to 12,313 outlets, while sales increased 5.5% to £6.8bn.

Greggs opened 34 new shops during the first half of 2026, bringing its estate to 2,773 locations by the end of June. The retailer reported total sales of £1.1bn for the first half of 2026, up 7.2% year on year, with like-for-like sales in company-managed shops rising 2.1%. Greggs is targeting around 100 to 110 net new openings in 2026 and has identified potential for at least 3,500 UK shops over the longer term. Costa responded by relaunching scones after a five‑year gap and launching an Afternoon Bundle that pairs a hot or iced drink with a scone served with jam and cream.

Before this shift, Costa Coffee had held the lead as the UK’s largest branded coffee chain.

What we know

According to Allegra World Coffee Portal’s Project Café UK 2026 report, Greggs had 2,737 outlets compared with Costa’s 2,707.
The wider UK branded coffee shop market grew 3.5 per cent during 2025 to 12,313 outlets, while sales increased 5.5 per cent to £6.8bn, according to the report.
The retailer opened 34 new shops during the first half of 2026, taking its estate to 2,773 locations by the end of June.
Greggs reported total sales of £1.1bn for the first half of 2026, up 7.2 per cent year on year, while like-for-like sales in company-managed shops increased 2.1 per cent.
The retailer is targeting around 100 to 110 net new openings during 2026 and has identified potential for at least 3,500 UK shops over the longer term.