Costa is OVERTAKEN as Britain’s biggest coffee chain by budget favourite with more than 2,700 cafes

COSTA has been dethroned as the nation’s go-to coffee spot, as a budget rival claims the title. The brand has become a firm favourite among Brits for budget bakes and cheap coffee. The bakery chain has expanded its menu in recent years to include a wider coffee offering Greggs become the nation’s largest coffee shop operator, with more than 2,737 outlets scattered across the UK. As a result, this has pushed the bakery chain ahead of long-standing coffee rival Costa, which operates 2,707 outlets nationwide. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! News of the win comes as Greggs seeks to expand its store estate, with 34 new shops having opened in the first half of the year alone. The retailer is also targeting around 100 new openings throughout 2026, with a long-term goal of more than 3,500 stores in the UK. Over the past few years, Greggs has widened its coffee offering, with the release of new iced matcha lattes and seasonal flavours including its popular Pumpkin Spice Latte. As the cost of coffee continues to rise in the UK, customers may also be seeking out more affordable avenues for their caffeine fix. At Costa, the price of a signature latte with semi-skimmed milk can set customers back £4.50. Whereas the same option at Greggs is significantly cheaper at £2.40. Most read in Money Despite this, both retailers are reporting strong finances, with Costa’s profits up from the previous year. The chain has also announced a number of store refurbishments, and brought back its signature scone in July after a five-year hiatus. Comment now