If you’ve ever been to the United Kingdom, chances are you’ve heard of Greggs.
This chain of bakeries and sandwich shops has become a staple for many Brits, offering affordable and tasty snacks like sausage rolls, pasties, and donuts.
But just how popular are their sausage rolls? And how many do they sell in a day?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the iconic snack and explore the secrets behind its success.
From production to pricing, we’ll uncover everything you need to know about Greggs’ famous sausage rolls.
So grab a cuppa and get ready to learn more about one of the UK’s most beloved food items.
How Many Sausage Rolls Do Greggs Sell A Day?
According to reports, Greggs sells an impressive five sausage rolls every single second. That’s a staggering 15,000 sausage rolls per hour, 360,000 per day, and over 2.5 million per week.
These numbers are a testament to the popularity of the snack, which has become a go-to option for many Brits looking for a quick and tasty lunch or snack.
But what makes Greggs’ sausage rolls so special?
The History Of Greggs And Their Sausage Rolls
The history of Greggs and their sausage rolls can be traced back to 1939, when John Gregg started his own bakery in Newcastle upon Tyne. It wasn’t until 1951, however, that the first Greggs shop was opened in the same city. From there, the business expanded rapidly and by the 1970s, there were over 70 Greggs shops across the UK.
It was during this time that the sausage roll became one of Greggs’ signature products. The flaky pastry and savory filling quickly became a favorite among customers, and it wasn’t long before it was a staple on the menu.
Over the years, Greggs has continued to innovate with its sausage rolls. In 2019, the bakery chain launched a vegan-friendly version of the snack, which quickly became a hit with customers. The vegan sausage roll was credited with helping to boost sales at Greggs to over £1 billion for the first time ever.
Today, Greggs remains one of the most popular bakery chains in the UK, with over 2,000 shops across the country. Its sausage rolls continue to be a favorite among customers, who appreciate their affordability, convenience, and delicious taste.
The Ingredients And Production Process Of Greggs’ Sausage Rolls
Greggs’ sausage rolls are made with a simple yet delicious recipe. The pastry is made with fortified wheat flour, which contains calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, and thiamin. The pastry is then filled with seasoned sausage meat that is made from pork, rusk (wheat), and a seasoning mix that includes salt, yeast extract, modified starch, pea fibre, sugar, stabilizer (diphosphates), ground white pepper, barley malt extract, acidity regulator (tartaric acid), preservative (sodium metabisulphite), spice extracts, rapeseed oil, and herb extracts. The sausage rolls are glazed with a mixture of water, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, modified starch, milk protein, emulsifier (mono – and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono – and diglycerides of fatty acids, mono – and diglycerides of fatty acids), skimmed milk powder, stabilizer (carboxy methyl cellulose, carrageenan, cellulose), acidity regulator (sodium phosphates), and color (carotenes).
To produce the sausage rolls, Greggs uses a unique recipe that involves baking the pastry filled with seasoned sausage meat. The sausage rolls are freshly baked in Greggs’ shops throughout the day to ensure that they are always warm and delicious. The production process starts with the pastry dough being rolled out and cut into the desired shape. The seasoned sausage meat is then placed on top of the pastry and rolled up to create the classic sausage roll shape. The rolls are then baked in the oven for just 25 minutes until they are crisp and golden.
The popularity of Greggs’ sausage rolls can also be attributed to their quality ingredients. For instance, the pork used in the sausage meat is of high quality and sourced from trusted suppliers. Additionally, the pastry is made with fortified wheat flour that provides essential nutrients like calcium and iron.
How Greggs’ Sausage Rolls Are Priced And Packaged
Greggs’ sausage rolls are priced competitively, with the recent price increase bringing the cost up to £1.15. The company has cited rising costs of ingredients, packaging, and energy bills as the reason for the increase. In addition to sausage rolls, other popular products such as steak bakes, chicken bakes, and pasties have also seen price increases ranging from 10p to 27p.
Despite the price hikes, Greggs’ sausage rolls remain a popular choice for customers. The company sells them in individual portions or in packs of four, which are priced at £3.27. The sausage rolls are packaged in a distinctive paper bag with the Greggs logo and branding.
The packaging is designed to keep the sausage rolls warm and fresh for customers on-the-go. The paper bags are made from sustainable materials and are recyclable, reflecting Greggs’ commitment to sustainability.
The Popularity Of Greggs’ Sausage Rolls: Sales Figures And Customer Reviews
Greggs’ sausage rolls have been a staple of the British high street for decades, but their popularity shows no signs of waning. In fact, the launch of the vegan-friendly sausage roll in 2019 has only added to the hype.
According to Greggs’ sales figures, the bakery chain sells an astonishing 1.5 million sausage rolls every week. This translates to over 78 million sausage rolls per year, making it one of the most popular items on the menu.
But it’s not just the sales figures that speak to the popularity of Greggs’ sausage rolls. The snack has also garnered rave reviews from customers and food critics alike.
One customer described the sausage roll as “perfectly seasoned and packed with meaty goodness”, while another praised its “flaky pastry and delicious filling”. Food critic Jay Rayner even went so far as to call it “the platonic ideal of a sausage roll”.
It’s clear that Greggs’ sausage rolls have become a beloved British institution, with a loyal fanbase and a reputation for quality and taste. Whether you’re a meat-eater or a vegan, there’s no denying the appeal of this classic snack.
The Impact Of Greggs’ Sausage Rolls On British Culture And Society
The humble sausage roll has become more than just a popular snack in Britain; it has become a cultural icon. In recent years, Greggs’ sausage rolls have been at the center of a nationalistic and ‘ethnic’ symbol. Despite being enjoyed by many people from different ethnic minority groups and classes, the sausage roll can be molded into a product that is perceived to be under threat from foreign foods. Pork has become a talisman of ‘white Britishness,’ and the vegan sausage roll, as a result, becomes a hated product that symbolizes culture in post-industrial Britain.
However, Greggs has also been able to use its sausage rolls to bring people together. The launch of the plant-based alternative to its most popular product caused a firestorm of excitement and controversy that even the most optimistic marketing team couldn’t have expected. Many hailed its arrival, with the general consensus on social media being that the product tasted about as good as the meat option. The vegan sausage roll provided “a chance for a divided country to heal itself.”
Greggs has been forward-thinking in tapping into trends in food, consumer trends, and ethical and sustainable issues. It has created a friendly, fun image that people can engage with, and this has helped to drive sales of its vegan products throughout 2019. The company’s success shows that it is possible to make plant-based food accessible for more people and bring it onto high streets in the country.