John Robson Gregg

John Robson Gregg (9 November 1909 – 23 September 1964) was an English businessman, best known as the founder of Greggs, the United Kingdom's largest bakery chain.

Biography Gregg was born at Canada Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1909 to John George Gregg (1874 – 1932) and Mary Ann Gregg (née Marrs; 1878 – ?). At the age of 14, he joined the family egg and yeast business. He acquired a van in the 1930s. In 1939, he founded Greggs, a family bakery store in Tyneside, with its first shop opening in 1951 on Gosforth high street. By 1953, the business consisted of one shop and six vans selling products from the bakery.

He died of lung cancer in 1964. After his death, his son, Ian Gregg (b. 1939), took over the family business.