BAKERY giant Greggs has hiked prices on some of its menu items including an iconic savoury bite.
The high street chain has upped the cost of bakes and sandwiches as it contends with a higher wage bill.
It hasn’t said which specific items have risen in price but the group’s chief executive, Roisin Currie, said they had gone up as much as 10p.
This includes its fan favourite sausage roll and vegan sausage roll which are both up 5p from £1.20 to £1.25.
It follows a succession of price rises since 2016, including in January 2023 when the savoury snack bumped up from £1.15 to £1.20.
It also went from £1.10 to £1.15 in October 2022 and from 90p to £1 in 2021, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
It means the cost of a sausage roll has risen from 85p to £1.25 since 2016 – a 32% hike.
Of course, how much you will now pay for your sausage roll depends on where you live as prices can fluctuate from branch to branch.
Ms Currie also announced today meal deal prices have remained the same price and no further price hikes are planned for the rest of the year.
The cost of a Greggs meal deal varies, with a cold sandwich and hot or cold drink worth £3.75 while a hot sandwich and wedges with a cold or hot drink is £4.95.
Pasta salads with a hot or cold drink cost £3.75.
It comes after Greggs posted a 16.3% rise in underlying pre-tax profits to £74.1 million for the six months to June 29.
The bakery chain has also been vastly expanding the number of branches on the high street.
But Ms Currie said the group has had to raise prices on some its staple products after offering a pay rise to 32,000 staff members earlier this year ahead of the rise in the National Living Wage, which went up from £10.42 to £11.44.
In March, it also said it would offer 25,000 colleagues a bonus of £700 following soaring profits.
She said: “The biggest inflation cost right now is the increase in the National Living Wage and making sure our employees get the wage increases that are appropriate.
Here is how much the iconic sausage roll has changed in price since 2016...
“That puts pressure on the cost increases within the business.”
Greggs said its total sales rose to £960.6 million over the first half of the year.
The chain said the bumper profits were partly due to the success of its pizza meal deals.
It comes with Greggs planning to open up to 160 new net locations this year as a whole.
The 160 locations account for branches that are set to close.
Ms Currie said: “Greggs has made good progress in the first half of the year, further broadening our range of on-the-go food and drink whilst making it more accessible to more customers.”
She added: “Our cost outlook for 2024 remains unchanged and we continue to trade in line with our plan.
“The board remains confident in the long-term growth strategy, and we are investing to support that growth.”
Greggs superfan Tony Collins previously revealed his top tips for saving money on your next trip.
He said to make the most of outlet stores, that sell baked goods at knockdown prices, usually because they’re a day old.
The chain says the food is still fresh and a percentage of the profits goes to charity.
How much you’ll save varies, Tony revealed, but he said he usually gets around 20% off compared to normal prices.
We previously revealed the full list of Greggs outlets stores across the UK.
Meanwhile, you could save 20% on your next trip by using a little-known pizza meal deal trick – waiting until after 4pm when the price drops from £3.50 to £2.85.
Make sure you download the Greggs app as well, which offers you a free treat on your birthday.
You can download the app via the Apple App Store or Google Play.
In other Greggs news, the chain recently added a Katsu Chicken Bake to branches nationwide last week.
Customers can order the new £2 dish via Just Eat and Uber Eats, or head to their nearest shop.
Here's the full list of new food items:
The new summer drinks include the Mango & Strawberry Cooler, Strawberry & Cream Refresher, Strawberry Lemonade, Cloudy Lemonade, Over Ice Americano and the Iced Latte.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
