Greggs to Cut 740 Jobs, Shut Four Factories in Automation Push; Shares Rise 6%

Greggs plc (LSE: GRG) announced plans on September 30, 2026, to cut up to 740 jobs and close four factories by 2028, replacing workers with automated machinery across its food production network. The bakery chain reported a 7.7% sales rise for the quarter ending September 2026, with established-shop sales up 3.4%, prompting an upgrade to full-year profit expectations. Shares rose 6% in London trading. The restructuring is expected to cost approximately £60 million, including £40 million in implementation expenses, with annual savings of about £20 million anticipated by 2028-2029. Greggs will open two new automated sites in Derby (operational this year) and Kettering (2027), providing capacity to supply at least 3,500 shops. The company has opened 95 stores in 2026, bringing its total to 2,796, and expects to open 100-110 net new stores in 2026. Greggs said consultations with trade unions and worker representatives would begin.