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{{Infobox
{{Infobox
|name = Euro Garages (EG Group)
|colour = #8BC741
|colour = #8BC741
|name = EG Group
|image = Bw ext 1.jpg
|image = Bw ext 1.jpg
|locations = 1 [[MSA]] as an operator; 9 motorway forecourts; much more
|locations = 1 [[MSA]] as an operator, many more restaurants
|introduced =  
|introduced = 2011 (on motorways)
|removed = 2024 (on motorways)
|predecessors = [[Little Chef]], various forecourts
|predecessors = [[Little Chef]], various forecourts
|acquired =  
|successors = [[Asda Express]], [[EG On The Move]]
|chiefexec =
|hqaddress = EG Group Headquarters{{newline}}Euro House{{newline}}Waterside{{newline}}Haslingden Road{{newline}}Blackburn{{newline}}BB1 2FA
[[https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=BB1+2EE&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=18.514185,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Darwen,+Lancashire+BB3+1QJ,+United+Kingdom&z=16 map]]
|accompaniedby = [[BP]], [[Esso]], [[Shell]], [[SPAR]], Asda on the Move, [[Burger King]], [[EG Diner]], [[Greggs]], [[Little Chef]], [[Starbucks]], [[Subway]], [[Starbucks on the Go]], [[Sainsbury's On the go]]
|seealso = [[Applegreen]], [[MFG]]
|seealso = [[Applegreen]], [[MFG]]
|telephone = 01254 582111
|telephone = 01254 582111
|rating = EuroG
|website = www.eg.group
|website = www.eg.group
|twitter = TheEGGroup
|twitter = TheEGGroup
|country = UK
|country = UK
|gallery = Euro Garages pictures¦EuroGarages
}}
}}


Through the 2010s, the growth of Euro Garages has been phenomenal, with a portfolio which has grown to include hundreds of petrol stations and restaurants, [[Rivington|one motorway service area]], and a wide range of partner brands.
Throughout the 2010s, the growth of Euro Garages was phenomenal, with a portfolio which grew to include thousands of petrol stations and restaurants, [[Rivington|one UK motorway service area]], and a wide range of partner brands across the world.


In 2016 Euro Garages merged with EFR Group to create '''EG Group''', a brand name which has been introduced to their catering areas. EG Group is now the UK's largest operator of [[KFC]], [[Greggs]] and [[Starbucks]] franchises.
Their revised name '''EG Group''' became one of the UK's biggest service area operators, selling not just selling fuel but also acting as the UK's biggest operator of [[KFC]], [[Greggs]] and [[Starbucks]] franchises. Sometimes these would be provided independent of each other, but often they would be combined to create large service areas. Their roll-out benefitted from their purchase of 78 [[Little Chef]] restaurants.


The wider business has continued to grow, acquiring thousands of petrol stations around the world, as well as taking over established brands such as Asda. Accounts of the success of EG Group rarely mention that its growth was funded by a loan from the founders' previous business, Europlast. Some commenters have raised concerns at how much debt is building up. Strictly speaking, we should add that there is nothing to suggest that this is going to be a problem.
Then, their dominance ended. EG Group's loan-funded purchase of [[Asda]] was supposed to see them take over Asda's filling stations, but this decision was reversed in October 2021, apparently as new information had come to light. It was announced in May 2023 that Asda would become the parent of EG Group, turning Asda into a foodservice mega-brand, with their chairman calling it "a consumer champion like the UK has never seen". The GMB union said it was about "using ASDA as a cash cow to pay off their debts".


Meanwhile, we do know that Europlast [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55307392 has a poor health and safety record], although this is a separate business.
The end result as far as the road user will notice is that all but 31 of EG Group's UK locations became Asda-operated and branded. Most of their stand-alone restaurant franchises have been sold back to the brand. Co-founder Zuber Issa, often praised for his role in the company's rapid growth, announced that he would be taking over those remaining petrol stations under his new firm [[EG On the Move]], which was also follow up unfulfilled EG Group site plans.
 
EG Group's founders were nominated for MBEs in October 2020. They themselves are involved in a number of businesses, and EG Group now has long-reaching arms which include operating restaurants like [[Leon]] and Asda supermarkets.
 
Asda's forecourts were supposed to be transferred to EG Group, but this decision was reversed in October 2021, apparently as new information had come to light. [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-11-29/u-k-gas-station-billionaire-issa-brothers-plot-their-biggest-move-yet-in-potential-megadeal Bloomberg reports] that the firm is now considering a full merger with Asda, creating a foodservice mega-brand.


==Company History==
==Company History==
Line 37: Line 28:
One of their biggest early projects was the former [[Rivington|Bolton West services]], which was rebuilt to provide two large, new buildings.  
One of their biggest early projects was the former [[Rivington|Bolton West services]], which was rebuilt to provide two large, new buildings.  


It was announced between April 2013 and September 2015 that Euro Garages had purchased around 300 [[Corporate Sites|corporate filling stations]] from [[Esso]] and [[Shell]]. Euro Garages added a selection of their partner brands to these sites as part of their investment plan, which caused a bit of public controversy as people preferred Esso's [[Costa]] offering and Shell's [[Deli2go]] over Euro Garages' new food brands like Greggs and Subway.
It was announced between April 2013 and September 2015 that Euro Garages had purchased around 300 [[Corporate Sites|corporate filling stations]] from [[Esso]] and [[Shell]]. Euro Garages added a selection of their partner brands to these sites as part of their investment plan, which caused a bit of public controversy as some people preferred Esso's [[Costa]] and Shell's [[Deli2go]] offerings over Euro Garages' new food partners Greggs and Subway.
 
Euro Garages merged with EFR Group in 2016, creating '''EG Group''', a brand name which was soon introduced to their catering areas. These became known for their black-painted buildings (when not a new-build glass frontage).


Euro Garages were the first operator to introduce [[Starbucks on the Go]] into their filling stations, replacing [[Coffee Nation]] in June 2013.
Euro Garages were the first operator to introduce [[Starbucks on the Go]] into their filling stations, replacing [[Coffee Nation]] in June 2013.


Recently Euro Garages have been involved in a number of developments next to busy motorway junctions, including [[Markham Vale]] on the M1 and [[Frontier Park]] by the M65. These are often part of what are known as 'New-to-Industry' sites. Most of these aren't signed from the motorway (which would bound them by more regulations), but instead they rely on being highly visible.
Their rapid expansion included developing a number of sites next to busy motorway junctions, including [[Markham Vale]] on the M1 and [[Frontier Park]] by the M65. These are often part of what are known as 'New-to-Industry' sites. Most of these aren't signed from the motorway (which would bound them by more regulations), but instead they rely on being highly visible. New government [[regulations]], announced in 2022, made it impossible to open any more sites like this unless there is a barrier between them and the motorway; it is still acceptable practise on A-roads.


===Beyond Fuel===
===Beyond Fuel===
Line 51: Line 44:
In December 2016, it emerged that Euro Garages were looking to take over [[Little Chef]], and they purchased it on 1 February 2017. Many of these restaurants were next to forecourts Euro Garages had already acquired. During a long refurbishment process the smaller restaurants became franchises such as Starbucks or KFC, while the larger ones were eventually converted to become several franchises under one roof, resembling a miniature version of some of the busiest service stations in the country.
In December 2016, it emerged that Euro Garages were looking to take over [[Little Chef]], and they purchased it on 1 February 2017. Many of these restaurants were next to forecourts Euro Garages had already acquired. During a long refurbishment process the smaller restaurants became franchises such as Starbucks or KFC, while the larger ones were eventually converted to become several franchises under one roof, resembling a miniature version of some of the busiest service stations in the country.


Euro Garages generally advertise the brand names they operate more than their own name, but in 2018 this changed and prominent "EG Group" signage was fitted to many of their new restaurants. An all-black colour scheme was applied, possibly inspired by the corporate colours required at their Starbucks branches.
Euro Garages generally advertised the brand names they operate more than their own name, but in 2018 this changed and prominent "EG Group" signage was fitted to many of their new restaurants. An all-black colour scheme was applied, possibly inspired by the corporate colours required at their Starbucks branches, but creating a visible EG Group corporate image for the first time.


A brief partnership with [[Sainsbury's]] to introduce Sainsbury's Local stores didn't work out, however Euro Garages later opened small [[Sainsbury's On the go]] stores [[licensed brand|under licence]] within some of their petrol stations and amenity buildings. In 2020, Asda announced that EG Group will be trialling 'Asda on the Move' stores in three petrol stations in the Midlands - a precursor to EG Group's purchase of Asda from Walmart.
A brief partnership with [[Sainsbury's]] to introduce Sainsbury's Local stores didn't work out, however Euro Garages later opened small [[Sainsbury's On the go]] stores [[licensed brand|under licence]] within some of their petrol stations and amenity buildings. In 2020, Asda announced that EG Group will be trialling 'Asda on the Move' stores in three petrol stations in the Midlands, which was eventually rolled out to many of their forecourts.


Further acquisitions took place in 2021, including [[Leon]] which brings EG Group closer to the restaurant and supply sectors.
Further acquisitions took place in 2021, including [[Leon]], which brings EG Group closer to the restaurant and supply sectors. Leon and Asda have since been spun off as a separate operation, while they intend to sell the KFC units back to KFC.


The rapid expansion of EG Group has been largely attributed to the work of the Issa brothers, who built it up from humble beginnings. The brothers are reported to donate 2.5% of their wealth every year to charity and their Issa Foundation supports local hospitals and deprived schoolchildren.
Another potential merger came to light in 2022, as [https://www.cspdailynews.com/mergers-acquisitions/couche-tard-eg-group-merger-talks-report talks were reported] with Couche-Tard, who operate the fuel, food and shopping brand [[Circle K]]. This ultimately didn't happen.
 
EG Group began rolling out 'EV Point' charging points in 2023, slightly after most of their competitors. They later announced a partnership with Tesla that would allow them to roll these points out across their estate, including at sites that are now [[ASDA Express]].
 
===Huge Expansion and Concerns===
[[File:Beacon Hill 2022.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The building at [[Beacon Hill]], which EG Group called "dated" and pushed to replace, but this is now Asda's responsibility.]]
The wider EG Group business continued to grow, acquiring thousands of petrol stations around the world. Accounts of the success of EG Group rarely mentioned that its growth was funded by a loan from the founders' previous business, Europlast, or that EG Group reached debt of £{{future inflation|7.3billion|2019}} in 2019. Strictly speaking, we should add that there is nothing to suggest that this is going to be a problem.
 
Meanwhile, we did know that Europlast [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55307392 has a poor health and safety record], although this is a separate business.
 
EG Group's founders were nominated for MBEs in October 2020. The brothers are reported to donate 2.5% of their wealth every year to charity and their Issa Foundation supports local hospitals and deprived schoolchildren.
 
EG Group's rapid expansion has sometimes caused internal issues. After they took over [[Little Chef]], their plan to convert most sites into a combined [[Starbucks]] and [[Burger King]] fell through; a delay that would ultimately cause them to lose the licence to Little Chef, and have to quickly invent the [[EG Diner]] brand name. While EG Group were praised for safeguarding jobs in this scenario, their policy of cloning decisions meant they would open some stores in places that would soon close, and some of these locations shut up completely during the disruption.
 
While EG Group was involved with the Asda takeover, a process that would cause some disruption, they would still be planning numerous potential new service areas which would then be left in limbo. High profile casualties include [[Stretton Point]] and [[Bridgwater]], both of which would be usurped by rival service area giants [[Welcome Break]]. There was also public confusion between the two roadside brands 'Asda On The Move' and 'Asda Express', which had different functions but ultimately looked the same to the public.
 
EG Group co-founder Zuber Issa eventually left the company to focus solely on 'EG On The Move', who had taken over the few EG Group forecourts which weren't offloaded to Asda, as well as Cooplands, some Starbucks stores, the company charging point network and many unfulfilled planning applications.


==EG Group Services==
==EG Group Services==
Line 64: Line 73:
* [[Rivington]] (M61) {{#result:Bolton}}
* [[Rivington]] (M61) {{#result:Bolton}}


There are four more large services close to the motorway network which resemble service stations, but are not signposted from the road (and therefore not regarded as official):
There is another large service area close to the motorway network which resembles a motorway service area, but is not signposted from the road (and therefore not regarded as official):


* [[Barthomley|Crewe]] (M6/A500)
* [[Frontier Park]] (M65) {{#result:Frontier_Park}}
* [[Frontier Park]] (M65)
* [[Markham Vale]] (M1)
* [[Oval]] (M1)


===A-road Services Owned Outright===
===Supporting Facilities===
The following services are provided entirely (or almost entirely) by EG Group, either under that name or EG Group branding. Note that sites which are not signposted from the road are not included in this list.
EG Group do not provide the fuel at the following services, but they provide some catering alongside other operators' facilities. This list show only services which are signposted from the road.


Being included on this list doesn't mean it's a large service area, it just means they own most of what is there.
* [[Acle]] (A47)
 
* [[Alfreton]] (A38)
* [[Bangor]] (A5/A55) {{#result:Bangor}}
* [[Ashby de la Zouch]] (A42)
* [[Bicester]] (A41) {{#result:Bicester}}
* [[Balhaldie]] (A9) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Bickenhill]] (A45) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Bangor]] (A5/A55)
* [[Browns Blue]] (A511) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Barton Stacey]] (A303) ''(westbound only)''
* [[Canley Ford]] (A45) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Battlefield]] (A49)
* [[Colsterworth]] (A1) {{#result:Colsterworth}}
* [[Beccles]] (A143/A146)
* [[Gowy]] (A51)
* [[Beckington]] (A36)
* [[Halt]] (A470)
* [[Bicester]] (A41)
* [[Capelgate|Bentley]] (A12) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Boship]] (A22)
* [[Budbrooke]] (A46)
* [[Collin]] (A75)
* [[Dreghorn]] (A720)
* [[Dumbarton Gateway]] (A82) ''(north-westbound only)''
* [[East Horndon]] (A127) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Ely]] (A10)
* [[Fairfield]] (A16)
* [[Family Farm]] (A34) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Gristhwaite]] (A168) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Hartlebury]] (A449)
* [[Hartlebury]] (A449)
* [[Hayle]] (A30)
* [[Heath]] (A617)
* [[Heath]] (A617)
* [[Hogs Back]] (A31) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Hickstead]] (A23)
* [[Kettering]] (A14) ''(westbound only)''
* [[Kinmel Park]] (A55)
* [[Markham Vale]] (M1)
* [[Micheldever]] (A303) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Micheldever]] (A303) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Mile End]] (A5)
* [[Middlewich]] (A54)
* [[Monmouth]] (A40) {{#result:Monmouth}}
* [[Monmouth]] (A40)
* [[Nunney Catch]] (A361)
* [[Newmarket]] (A11/A14)
* [[Parkway]] (A57)
* [[Northop Hall]] (A55) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Oldbury]] (A419)
* [[Oval]] (M1)
* [[Pevensey]] (A27/A259)
* [[Popham]] (A303) ''(westbound only)''
* [[Rhostyllen]] (A483)
* [[Rhostyllen]] (A483)
* [[Ross Spur]] (A449) {{#result:Ross}}
* [[Rising Bridge]] (A56)
* [[Ross Spur]] (A449)
* [[Saughall]] (A494/M56)
* [[Saughall]] (A494/M56)
* [[Shrewsbury]] (A5/A49) {{#result:Shrewsbury}}
* [[Shrewsbury]] (A5/A49)
* [[St Kew]] (A39)
* [[Stansted]] (A120)
* [[Thame]] (A418)
* [[Thame]] (A418)
* [[Thrapston]] (A14/A45) {{#result:Thrapston}}
* [[Thanet Way]] (A299) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Tot Hill (A34)|Tot Hill]] (A34)
* [[Towcester]] (A43)
* [[Uttoxeter]] (A50)
* [[Uttoxeter]] (A50)
* [[Weyhill]] (A303) {{#result:Weyhill}}
* [[Weyhill]] (A303)
 
* [[Whitchurch]] (A41)
===Supporting Facilities===
* [[Willoughby Hedge]] (A303)
The remaining lists show only services which are signposted from the road. These ones are operated by several companies, of which EG Group is one.
* [[Wisley]] (A3) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Worksop]] (A57)


====Supporting Forecourts====
===Former Locations===
At these services EG Group operate a forecourt, alongside somebody else's restaurant.
EG Group used to operate forecourts at the following official service areas:


* [[Ashby de la Zouch]] (A42)
* [[Ashby de la Zouch]] (A42)
* [[Bangor]] (A5/A55)
* [[Baynards Green]] (A43)
* [[Baynards Green]] (A43)
* [[Bothwell]] (M74) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Bicester]] (A41)
* [[Bickenhill]] (A45)
* [[Blyth]] (A1(M)/A1)
* [[Blyth]] (A1(M)/A1)
* [[Bothwell]] (M74)
* [[Browns Blue]] (A511)
* [[Calcutt]] (A419)
* [[Canley Ford]] (A45)
* [[Cherwell Valley]] (M40/A43)
* [[Cherwell Valley]] (M40/A43)
* [[Colsterworth]] (A1)
* [[Eye Green]] (A47)
* [[Eye Green]] (A47)
* [[Folly Tower]] (A472)
* [[Folly Tower]] (A4042)
* [[Hamilton]] (M74) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Gowy]] (A51)
* [[Halt]] (A470)
* [[Hamilton]] (M74)
* [[Heath]] (A617)
* [[Hogs Back]] (A31)
* [[Mile End]] (A5)
* [[Nene Valley]] (A45)
* [[Nene Valley]] (A45)
* [[Nunney Catch]] (A361)
* [[Parkway]] (A57)
* [[Pont Abraham]] (M4)
* [[Pont Abraham]] (M4)
* [[Popham]] (A303)
* [[Rhostyllen]] (A483)
* [[Rothwell]] (A14) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Ross Spur]] (A449)
* [[Rothwell]] (A14)
* [[Saughall]] (A494)
* [[Scotch Corner]] (A1(M)/A66)
* [[Scotch Corner]] (A1(M)/A66)
* [[Stafford (South)|Stafford]] (M6) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Shrewsbury]] (A5/A49)
* [[Strensham]] (M5) ''(northbound only)''
* [[St Kew]] (A39)
* [[Stafford (South)|Stafford southbound]] (M6)
* [[Strensham|Strensham northbound]] (M5)
* [[Tamworth]] (M42/A5)
* [[Tamworth]] (M42/A5)
* [[Whitchurch]] (A41)
* [[Uttoxeter]] (A50)
* [[Willoughby Hedge]] (A303)


====Supporting Restaurants====
====Closed Services====
Unlike those above, Euro Garages do not provide the fuel at the following services, but they provide some catering alongside other operators' facilities.
EG Group used to operate at the following official service areas, before their facilities either closed or transferred to new owners:


* [[Acle]] (A47)
* [[Alfreton]] (A38)
* [[Attleborough]] (A11) ''(westbound only)''
* [[Balhaldie]] (A9) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Barton Mills|Barton Mills South]] (A11)
* [[Barton Mills|Barton Mills South]] (A11)
* [[Barton Stacey]] (A303) ''(westbound only)''
* [[Battlefield]] (A49)
* [[Beacon Hill]] (A14)
* [[Beacon Hill]] (A14)
* [[Beckington]] (A36)
* [[Bilbrough]] (A64)
* [[Bilbrough]] (A64) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Brampton Hut]] (A1/A14)
* [[Boship]] (A22)
* [[Carcroft]] (A1)
* [[Budbrooke]] (A46)
* [[Calcutt]] (A419) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Capel St Mary]] (A12) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Carcroft]] (A1) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Chippenham]] (A350)
* [[Chippenham]] (A350)
* [[Cirencester]] (A417)
* [[Cirencester]] (A417)
* [[Collin]] (A75)
* [[Countess]] (A303)
* [[Countess]] (A303)
* [[Cross Hands]] (A48)
* [[Barthomley|Crewe]] (M6/A500)
* [[Dreghorn]] (A720)
* [[Dumbarton Gateway]] (A82) ''(north-westbound only)''
* [[East Horndon]] (A127)
* [[Ely]] (A10)
* [[Fairfield]] (A16)
* [[Family Farm]] (A34) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Feering]] (A11) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Feering]] (A11) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Fenstanton]] (A11)
* [[Fontwell]] (A27/A29)
* [[Fontwell]] (A27/A29)
* [[Fourwentways]] (A14) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Fourwentways|Fourwentways (Abington)]] (A11)
* [[Hayle]] (A30)
* [[Hickstead]] (A23)
* [[Ilminster]] (A303)
* [[Ilminster]] (A303)
* [[Kettering]] (A14)
* [[Kettering|Kettering eastbound]] (A14)
* [[Markfield|Leicester Markfield]] (A511)
* [[Markham Moor|Markham Moor (north)]] (A1)
* [[Markham Moor|Markham Moor (north)]] (A1)
* [[Marston Moretaine]] (A421)
* [[Marston Moretaine]] (A421)
* [[Middlewich]] (A54)
* [[Mile End]] (A5)
* [[Newmarket]] (A11)
* [[North Muskham]] (A1)
* [[North Muskham]] (A1) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Gateway|Northop Hall]] (A55) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Oldbury]] (A419)
* [[Pevensey]] (A27/A259)
* [[Podimore]] (A303)
* [[Podimore]] (A303)
* [[Roundswell]] (A39)
* [[Rufus Stone]] (A31)
* [[Rustington]] (A259)
* [[Rustington]] (A259)
* [[Saltash]] (A38)
* [[Saltash]] (A38)
* [[Seaton Burn]] (A1/A19)
* [[Seaton Burn]] (A1/A19)
* [[Sleaford]] (A15/A17)
* [[Sleaford]] (A15/A17)
* [[Solstice]] (A303)
* [[Sourton Cross]] (A30)
* [[Sourton Cross]] (A30)
* [[Sutterton]] (A16/A17)
* [[Sutterton]] (A16/A17)
* [[Stansted]] (A120)
* [[Thanet Way]] (A299) ''(eastbound only)''
* [[Thickthorn]] (A11/A47)
* [[Thickthorn]] (A11/A47)
* [[Thirsk]] (A168) ''(northbound only)''
* [[Thorpe on the Hill]] (A46)
* [[Thorpe on the Hill]] (A46)
* [[Tot Hill (A34)|Tot Hill]] (A34)
* [[Thrapston]] (A14/A45)
* [[Towcester]] (A43)
* [[Warminster]] (A36)
* [[Warminster]] (A36)
* [[Whitemare Pool]] (A194)
* [[Whitemare Pool]] (A194)
* [[Willoughby Hedge]] (A303) ''(westbound only)''
* [[Wisley]] (A3) ''(southbound only)''
* [[Worksop]] (A57)
===Closed Services===
Euro Garages used to operate at the following official service areas, before they closed:
* [[Kettering|Kettering eastbound]] (A14)
* [[Markfield|Leicester Markfield]] (A511)
* [[Red Post]] (A31)
* [[Rufus Stone]] (A31)


{{bottomnav|nonav=yes}}
[[Category:Operators]]
[[Category:Operators]]

Latest revision as of 17:56, 3 February 2025

Euro Garages (EG Group)
Euro Garages (EG Group)
Camera icon
Camera icon
Many more photos in the gallery
Locations:1 MSA as an operator, many more restaurants
Introduced:2011 (on motorways)
Removed:2024 (on motorways)
Predecessors:Little Chef, various forecourts
Successors:Asda Express, EG On The Move
Phone number:01254 582111
See also:Applegreen, MFG
Official Website:
www.eg.group

Throughout the 2010s, the growth of Euro Garages was phenomenal, with a portfolio which grew to include thousands of petrol stations and restaurants, one UK motorway service area, and a wide range of partner brands across the world.

Their revised name EG Group became one of the UK's biggest service area operators, selling not just selling fuel but also acting as the UK's biggest operator of KFC, Greggs and Starbucks franchises. Sometimes these would be provided independent of each other, but often they would be combined to create large service areas. Their roll-out benefitted from their purchase of 78 Little Chef restaurants.

Then, their dominance ended. EG Group's loan-funded purchase of Asda was supposed to see them take over Asda's filling stations, but this decision was reversed in October 2021, apparently as new information had come to light. It was announced in May 2023 that Asda would become the parent of EG Group, turning Asda into a foodservice mega-brand, with their chairman calling it "a consumer champion like the UK has never seen". The GMB union said it was about "using ASDA as a cash cow to pay off their debts".

The end result as far as the road user will notice is that all but 31 of EG Group's UK locations became Asda-operated and branded. Most of their stand-alone restaurant franchises have been sold back to the brand. Co-founder Zuber Issa, often praised for his role in the company's rapid growth, announced that he would be taking over those remaining petrol stations under his new firm EG On the Move, which was also follow up unfulfilled EG Group site plans.

Company History

Euro Garages were founded in 2001 by the Issa family, with a single petrol forecourt in Bury. Since then the company has expanded rapidly, usually by taking over struggling, under-performing petrol stations and redeveloping them to provide additional retail facilities (with various franchise partners including SPAR, Subway, Greggs and Starbucks), in so turning around their fortunes.

One of their biggest early projects was the former Bolton West services, which was rebuilt to provide two large, new buildings.

It was announced between April 2013 and September 2015 that Euro Garages had purchased around 300 corporate filling stations from Esso and Shell. Euro Garages added a selection of their partner brands to these sites as part of their investment plan, which caused a bit of public controversy as some people preferred Esso's Costa and Shell's Deli2go offerings over Euro Garages' new food partners Greggs and Subway.

Euro Garages merged with EFR Group in 2016, creating EG Group, a brand name which was soon introduced to their catering areas. These became known for their black-painted buildings (when not a new-build glass frontage).

Euro Garages were the first operator to introduce Starbucks on the Go into their filling stations, replacing Coffee Nation in June 2013.

Their rapid expansion included developing a number of sites next to busy motorway junctions, including Markham Vale on the M1 and Frontier Park by the M65. These are often part of what are known as 'New-to-Industry' sites. Most of these aren't signed from the motorway (which would bound them by more regulations), but instead they rely on being highly visible. New government regulations, announced in 2022, made it impossible to open any more sites like this unless there is a barrier between them and the motorway; it is still acceptable practise on A-roads.

Beyond Fuel

EG Group logo.
EG Group branding on the wall of one of their services, introduced in 2018.

Euro Garages' strategy continued, taking in large services such as Monmouth, including its lodge. They purchased motorway forecourts from more established operators who wanted to focus on retail.

Euro Garages started building new Starbucks buildings, usually drive thrus. Mostly these were alongside petrol stations they already owned, but some were not.

In December 2016, it emerged that Euro Garages were looking to take over Little Chef, and they purchased it on 1 February 2017. Many of these restaurants were next to forecourts Euro Garages had already acquired. During a long refurbishment process the smaller restaurants became franchises such as Starbucks or KFC, while the larger ones were eventually converted to become several franchises under one roof, resembling a miniature version of some of the busiest service stations in the country.

Euro Garages generally advertised the brand names they operate more than their own name, but in 2018 this changed and prominent "EG Group" signage was fitted to many of their new restaurants. An all-black colour scheme was applied, possibly inspired by the corporate colours required at their Starbucks branches, but creating a visible EG Group corporate image for the first time.

A brief partnership with Sainsbury's to introduce Sainsbury's Local stores didn't work out, however Euro Garages later opened small Sainsbury's On the go stores under licence within some of their petrol stations and amenity buildings. In 2020, Asda announced that EG Group will be trialling 'Asda on the Move' stores in three petrol stations in the Midlands, which was eventually rolled out to many of their forecourts.

Further acquisitions took place in 2021, including Leon, which brings EG Group closer to the restaurant and supply sectors. Leon and Asda have since been spun off as a separate operation, while they intend to sell the KFC units back to KFC.

Another potential merger came to light in 2022, as talks were reported with Couche-Tard, who operate the fuel, food and shopping brand Circle K. This ultimately didn't happen.

EG Group began rolling out 'EV Point' charging points in 2023, slightly after most of their competitors. They later announced a partnership with Tesla that would allow them to roll these points out across their estate, including at sites that are now ASDA Express.

Huge Expansion and Concerns

The building at Beacon Hill, which EG Group called "dated" and pushed to replace, but this is now Asda's responsibility.

The wider EG Group business continued to grow, acquiring thousands of petrol stations around the world. Accounts of the success of EG Group rarely mentioned that its growth was funded by a loan from the founders' previous business, Europlast, or that EG Group reached debt of £7.3billion in 2019. Strictly speaking, we should add that there is nothing to suggest that this is going to be a problem.

Meanwhile, we did know that Europlast has a poor health and safety record, although this is a separate business.

EG Group's founders were nominated for MBEs in October 2020. The brothers are reported to donate 2.5% of their wealth every year to charity and their Issa Foundation supports local hospitals and deprived schoolchildren.

EG Group's rapid expansion has sometimes caused internal issues. After they took over Little Chef, their plan to convert most sites into a combined Starbucks and Burger King fell through; a delay that would ultimately cause them to lose the licence to Little Chef, and have to quickly invent the EG Diner brand name. While EG Group were praised for safeguarding jobs in this scenario, their policy of cloning decisions meant they would open some stores in places that would soon close, and some of these locations shut up completely during the disruption.

While EG Group was involved with the Asda takeover, a process that would cause some disruption, they would still be planning numerous potential new service areas which would then be left in limbo. High profile casualties include Stretton Point and Bridgwater, both of which would be usurped by rival service area giants Welcome Break. There was also public confusion between the two roadside brands 'Asda On The Move' and 'Asda Express', which had different functions but ultimately looked the same to the public.

EG Group co-founder Zuber Issa eventually left the company to focus solely on 'EG On The Move', who had taken over the few EG Group forecourts which weren't offloaded to Asda, as well as Cooplands, some Starbucks stores, the company charging point network and many unfulfilled planning applications.

EG Group Services

EG Group operate a wide variety of petrol and catering facilities across the country. There is only one which is officially signed from the motorway network:

There is another large service area close to the motorway network which resembles a motorway service area, but is not signposted from the road (and therefore not regarded as official):

Supporting Facilities

EG Group do not provide the fuel at the following services, but they provide some catering alongside other operators' facilities. This list show only services which are signposted from the road.

Former Locations

EG Group used to operate forecourts at the following official service areas:

Closed Services

EG Group used to operate at the following official service areas, before their facilities either closed or transferred to new owners: