Greggs has unveiled a new store concept designed to bring its best-loved bakes even closer to customers on the move.
The new, smaller-format shops, branded “Bitesize Greggs”, aim to unlock high-footfall, space-constrained locations that were previously off-limits to the bakery chain’s traditional outlets.
A Compact Concept for Busy Locations
“Bitesize Greggs” has been created specifically for prime sites where space is at a premium, such as busy travel hubs and tightly packed retail destinations.
By operating with a smaller footprint, the format allows Greggs to serve more customers in locations that could not accommodate a full-sized shop, without compromising on its core offer.
The shops feature a tailored range of best-selling favourites, designed around speed, convenience and familiarity. From iconic sausage rolls and steak bakes to popular sweet treats and Fairtrade hot drinks, the edit focuses on the products customers are most likely to grab on the go.
First Stop: Sevenoaks Railway Station
The very first “Bitesize Greggs” opened its doors on 7 November at Sevenoaks railway station, marking a milestone in the brand’s expansion strategy.
Positioned in a high-footfall commuter environment, the new shop is designed to capture demand from passengers looking for a quick, reliable bite on their journey.
The opening has also delivered a boost to the local economy, with 10 new jobs created in the Sevenoaks area. It underlines Greggs’ continued investment in both regional employment and everyday food-to-go options for customers across the United Kingdom.
Testing the Model: Trials in Key Hubs
Greggs plans to open a small number of “Bitesize Greggs” as part of an initial rollout, with the format launching on a trial basis.
These early openings will allow the retailer to closely assess consumer behaviour and operational efficiencies, from queue flow and product availability to staffing models and service speed within the compact units.
Crucially, the new format is not replacing the traditional Greggs shop. Instead, “Bitesize Greggs” will sit alongside larger, more conventional stores, supporting the company’s broader estate growth plans.
By adding this flexible concept to its toolkit, Greggs can mix and match formats to suit specific locations, audiences and trading patterns.
Next Openings: Dartford and Cheshire Oaks
Following the debut at Sevenoaks, the next “Bitesize Greggs” locations are already in the pipeline.
Dartford Station in Kent and Cheshire Oaks are due to open in December, further testing the format in both travel and retail-led environments. Additional openings are set to follow, gradually building a clearer picture of how the new concept performs across different types of prime sites.
These locations are emblematic of the type of spaces Greggs is targeting: high-traffic, space-limited venues where customers are often time-poor but keen to grab something familiar, quick and affordable.
With the smaller footprint, Greggs can now enter many of these destinations for the first time.
‘Small but Mighty’ – Greggs’ Vision for Bitesize
Greggs’ property director described the launch of “Bitesize Greggs” as an exciting step in the brand’s ongoing evolution.
They highlighted that this small but mighty format is designed to help the business reach more customers on the go from compact units, while still offering a curated slice of Greggs’ best-selling menu.
The director also emphasised that the trial rollout of “Bitesize Greggs” will play a key role in supporting Greggs’ wider estate growth strategy, enabling the company to optimise space, broaden its presence in travel hubs and other high-footfall locations, and respond more flexibly to changing consumer habits.
Innovation on the Menu: From Pubs to Bitesize
The launch of “Bitesize Greggs” comes hot on the heels of another headline-grabbing innovation from the bakery chain. In September, Greggs unveiled its first ever pub, created in collaboration with department store Fenwick.
Named The Golden Flake Tavern, the pub opened on 27 September within Fenwick’s flagship Newcastle store.
This move into a pub-style environment, combined with the new compact-shop concept, showcases Greggs’ willingness to experiment with format, location and customer experience while staying anchored to its familiar food offer.
Conclusion: Greggs Shrinks the Space, Not the Ambition
With “Bitesize Greggs”, the bakery giant is proving that smaller doesn’t mean lesser – just smarter. By distilling its offer into a compact, high-performing format, Greggs is opening up new territory in travel hubs and prime locations that were once beyond reach, creating local jobs and adding fresh convenience for customers along the way.
From the first opening at Sevenoaks railway station to the upcoming launches at Dartford Station and Cheshire Oaks, the trial phase will show how well this nimble concept fits into the daily rhythms of commuters, shoppers and travellers.
Combined with bold moves like The Golden Flake Tavern pub collaboration, “Bitesize Greggs” signals a brand that is comfortable evolving its footprint while keeping its much-loved products at the heart of every new idea.
