Greggs to open drive-through bakeries across the UK for pastry fans in a hurry

'You can just drive up and order a coffee, sausage roll or doughnut,' Greggs bos Roger Whiteside explained

Greggs: The kings of comfort food (AFP/Getty Images)

Great news for the UK’s pastry lovers - Greggs has announced it will open drive-through shops across the country after a trial in Salford proved to be a runaway success.

The news means that those in need of a steak bake or chicken slice on-the-go will be able to get their fix more quickly than ever.

Greggs boss Roger Whiteside explained the concept succinctly: “It’s all about convenience and the most convenient thing is not having to get out of your car. You can just drive up and order a coffee, sausage roll or doughnut.”

​Greggs has not yet revealed where the new locations will be but it did say it would open up 130 new shops in total during 2017, including traditional stores.

Mr Whiteside told the Newcastle Chronicle: “We opened our first 'drive-thru' shop at Irlam, Greater Manchester, in June, and have been encouraged by its popularity, indicating a demand for further drive-thru locations.

“We are very excited by it - it's got off to a flying start. It's been interesting and exciting to see how well customers have taken to it. Customers are very taken by the idea of not having to leave their cars.

“We wondered if they would be welcoming to do this, and it's been very positive - I don't understand why we haven't done this years ago.”

The chief executive has been repositioning Greggs, adding to its traditional range of baked goods with a popular selection of healthy food options and improved coffee.

The company has also been closing underperforming stores. The strategy has proved a success so far. Greggs reported sales were up 7.3 per cent to £453m in the half year to 1 July, with growth coming primarily from the “balanced choice” range and new breakfast offering.

However, the weak pound as well as a spike in the price of ingredients, including butter, squeezed margins, meaning pre-tax profits remained flat.