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 would make deliveries on his pushbike to local working-class homes.How famous bakery rose from pushbike yeast deliveries Evening Chronicle, 19 March 2008. He acquired a van in the 1930s.
Gregg was called up to serve in the British Army during World War II and during this time his wife bought a second van and started distributing confectionery as well as ingredients for bread. In 1939, he founded Greggs, a family bakery store in Tyneside, with its first shop opening in 1951 on Gosforth high street.Takeaway market holds key to Greggs' future Northern Echo, 18 November 2003. 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.
Personal life He was married to Elsie (née Davis; 1909 – 1972) and they had two sons, Colin and Ian, and one daughter. He was also known by the name "Jack".
He was a Freemason.
References