Greggs is planning to open 130 new stores this year and hopes to create around 1,500 jobs.

The takeaway bakery chain said a huge investment in its supply chain would make the expansion happen, with half of the new stores expected to be franchise opportunities, as reported by Sky. By the end of 2018, the company will have close to 2,000 stores.

In a trading update covering its fourth financial quarter, Greggs said its like-for-like sales had risen 3.7 per cent over the past year, though growth slowed to three per cent over the festive season.

Over the past 12 months, Greggs has opened 131 new stores, but closed 41 as it looked for the best locations for its offering. The company had 1,854 stores by the end of last year.

Many of these new stores have been in business parks, which should send shivers up the spines of works canteens and catering vans across the county. If you haven't got a Greggs near your workplace just yet, it's likely to appear over the coming year.

Punchline says: Greggs are very good at what they do. If you want a quick, hot lunch and you're short of time, Greggs is going to be in direct competition with the local burger van. Catering vans and canteens may think they're safe, but they're not. They will need to improve their offer if they want to compete with Greggs.