# Welcome Break > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Welcome_Break > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Welcome_Break.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Break > Source revision: 1357184718 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|British operator of motorway service stations and hotels}} {{for|the Pip Blom album|Welcome Break (album)}} {{pp-semi-indef}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = Welcome Break Limited | logo = Welcome Break Logo (2020-Present).jpg | type = [Subsidiary](/source/Subsidiary) | industry = [Hospitality](/source/Hospitality) | foundation = 1959 | location = [Newport Pagnell](/source/Newport_Pagnell), England, UK | key_people = John Diviney (CEO) | area_served = [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) | products = | revenue = £630{{nbsp}}million | operating_income = | net_income = | num_employees = 4,500 | parent = [Applegreen](/source/Applegreen) | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|https://welcomebreak.co.uk}} | footnotes = }} '''Welcome Break Limited'''{{Cite web |date=1983-06-30 |title=WELCOME BREAK LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01735476 |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=[Companies House](/source/Companies_House) |language=en}} is a British motorway service station operator that operates 35 [motorway service station](/source/motorway_service_station)s in England, Scotland and Wales. It is the second-largest motorway service area operator behind [Moto](/source/Moto_Hospitality). It also operates hotels and motels. It is the UK arm of Irish motorways services operator [Applegreen](/source/Applegreen). ==History== [[File:Welcome Break, Birchanger Green, 2006.JPG|thumb|The Welcome Break facility at [Birchanger services](/source/Birchanger_Green_services), Essex, 2006.]] Opened in 1959, the service area at [Newport Pagnell](/source/Newport_Pagnell_services) on the [M1 motorway](/source/M1_motorway) near [Milton Keynes](/source/Milton_Keynes) by Motorway Services Ltd was the company's first service area under the Forte name and was the second service area to be constructed on the fledgling UK motorway network, however it was still the first to open.{{cn|date=August 2024}} The name "Welcome Break" came from a chain of rival restaurants to [Little Chef](/source/Little_Chef), created by Allen Jones. These restaurants eventually either became [Happy Eater](/source/Happy_Eater)s or closed. The name was brought back when Hanson Trust renamed Ross Food's service stations. The company's portfolio was expanded to five motorway service areas during periods under the ownership of the Imperial Group and subsequently the [Hanson Trust](/source/Hanson_plc) before being purchased by [Trusthouse Forte](/source/Trusthouse_Forte) in 1986. Under this deal, the Welcome Break name was adopted across the entire estate, with Trusthouse Forte's sixteen existing service areas re-branded. ===Split from Trusthouse Forte=== In January 1996, the Forte Group was the subject of a £3.9 billion [hostile takeover](/source/hostile_takeover) by the British media group [Granada](/source/Granada_plc). Due to Granada's existing major presence in the motorway services market, a subsequent investigation by the [Monopolies and Mergers Commission](/source/Monopolies_and_Mergers_Commission) ordered Granada to sell 27 of the Welcome Break sites. The company was eventually bought by [Investcorp](/source/Investcorp) in 1997 for £476{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web |url=http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2008/03/28/319942/motorway-services-provider-welcome-break-sold.html |title=Motorway services provider Welcome Break sold |publisher=Caterer Search |access-date=11 July 2006}} Investcorp then sold Welcome Break to Appia Investments in March 2008 for £500M. ===Applegreen ownership=== In August 2018, petrol services operator [Applegreen](/source/Applegreen) agreed to purchase the majority of Welcome Break for €361.8M.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/applegreen-reverses-into-motorway-service-area-gc23clkwv |url-access=subscription |title=Applegreen reverses into motorway service area |first=Deirdre |last=Hipwell |date=3 August 2018 |work=[The Times](/source/The_Times) |access-date=14 August 2024}} In 2025, Applegreen agreed to sell Petrogas Group to [EG On The Move](/source/EG_On_The_Move), Welcome Break was not part of the deal and will become the UK arm of Applegreen.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |title=Applegreen to sell UK filling stations to focus on bigger sites |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/applegreen-to-sell-uk-filling-stations-to-focus-on-bigger-sites/a1508906716.html |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}} In the same month, Welcome Break announced a partnership with the [Chick-fil-A](/source/Chick-fil-A) restaurant chain, opening them in [Lisburn](/source/Lisburn) and [Templepatrick](/source/Templepatrick).{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Sophie |date=2025-01-16 |title=First NI Chick-fil-A store set to open later this month |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/chick-fil-set-open-first-30796382 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Belfast Live |language=en}} == Facilities == thumb|right|The main building at Welcome Break's Telford services The facilities available at Welcome Break service areas varies at each site, with most sites open 24 hours a day throughout the year. Typically, each service area comprises a café or restaurant, a retail outlet, a hotel and a petrol station. Most sites have [WHSmith](/source/WHSmith), a food court comprising popular fast food outlets such as [Burger King](/source/Burger_King), [KFC](/source/KFC) and [Subway](/source/Subway_(restaurant)), a [Starbucks](/source/Starbucks) coffee shop, and a Welcome Break branded petrol station. === Hotels === The majority of hotels at Welcome Break service areas are franchises of Days Inn or Ramada; many of these were once branded under Welcome Break's own brand, "Welcome Lodge"; the last of these, at Newport Pagnell and Charnock Richard, were rebranded to Days Inns in May 2009 and also took over operation of three former PURPLE hotels at [Cambridge](/source/Cambridge), [Peterborough](/source/Peterborough), and [Stevenage](/source/Stevenage) in July 2009, each three have reopened as Days Inn taking its total to 26. In September 2012, Welcome Break opened a Days Inn at the new Cobham Service area on the M25, and 2013 saw a rebrand of Days Hotel London North and Days Inn London Stansted into [Ramada](/source/Ramada) hotels. In December 2014, Welcome Break purchased Days Hotel Wakefield, and after a full refurbishment it was reopened as Ramada Wakefield in January 2015. === Catering === When the Welcome Break chain was sold by Granada, branches of [Little Chef](/source/Little_Chef) at those sites were replaced a similar table service restaurant, Red Hen. High prices earned the chain the nickname "Little Thief".{{cite book |author1=Duncan Angwin |author2=Stephen Cummings |author3=Chris Smith |title=The Strategy Pathfinder: Core Concepts and Live Cases |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VXlZqDz7shAC&pg=PT306 |date=12 December 2011 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-119-99588-3 |page=307}} Eat In became Welcome Break's own brand self-service restaurant. However, these have since been replaced with [food courts](/source/food_courts), featuring a selection of brands varying from location to location: * [Subway](/source/Subway_(restaurant)) was opened at 15 Welcome Break sites from January 2015 to May 2015.{{cn|date=August 2024}} * [Harry Ramsden's](/source/Harry_Ramsden's), a UK-based fish and chip restaurant (also offering a range of breakfast to eat in or take away), was included at the majority of sites however these closed in 2020 and have now been replaced with 'The good Breakfast' which is welcome breaks own brand Breakfast outlet offering traditional fry-ups.{{cn|date=August 2024}} * [Waitrose](/source/Waitrose) has franchise stores at most Welcome Breaks.{{cn|date=August 2024}} * Starbucks is now available in most Welcome Break services. Some services have drive-through Starbucks in separate buildings.{{cn|date=August 2024}} * Welcome Break is a long-standing [KFC](/source/KFC) licensee, operating KFC fast food restaurants at 24 of its service areas.[http://www.welcomebreak.co.uk/OurBrands/Food/KFC/ KFC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509132439/http://www.welcomebreak.co.uk/OurBrands/Food/KFC/ |date=9 May 2008 }}, Welcome Break, UK. In May 2005, Welcome Break announced a deal with KFC designed to bypass tough UK motorway signage legislation.[http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2005/05/26/300726/welcome-break-joins-kfc-to-bypass-ad-ban.html Welcome Break joins KFC to bypass ad ban], CatererSearch, 26 May 2005. UK law used to prevents motorway service area operators from displaying additional brand names other than their own company name on roadside signage. To circumvent this restriction, a new subsidiary company "Welcome Break KFC" was registered. However now it is legal to have up to 6 logos on motorway service station signs. * [Burger King](/source/Burger_King) restaurants operate at all Welcome Break service stations except [Burtonwood](/source/Burtonwood_services) and [Derby South](/source/Derby_South_services).{{cn|date=August 2024}} * In 1995, it was announced that a [McDonald's](/source/McDonald's) would be added to every location, but the process was stopped after just two because [Forte](/source/Forte_Group) were acquired by Granada (now [Moto](/source/Moto_Hospitality)), a deal which included Welcome Break and lost out to [Burger King](/source/Burger_King) being added instead.{{citation needed|date=July 2010}} There are no longer any [McDonald's](/source/McDonald's) branches at Welcome Break sites, with the last two (at [Fleet services](/source/Fleet_services) and [Woodall services](/source/Woodall_services)) closing in March 2020. This was due to a licensing agreement with Burger King that prevents a McDonald's from operating at any site with a Burger King.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Generation95 |date=2020-12-31 |title=Why Did the McDonald's at Fleet Services Close? |url=https://www.generation95.com/why-did-the-mcdonalds-at-fleet-services-close/ |access-date=2022-01-18 |website=Generation95 |language=en-US}} * Chopstix, which was first introduced in August 2016 at Birchanger Green and now has a few branches at other services.{{cn|date=August 2024}} ===WHSmith=== Recently, Welcome Break service areas have followed the industry-wide trend towards partnership with High Street brands. [W H Smith](/source/W_H_Smith) stores have been introduced at the majority of Welcome Break sites as a replacement for the traditional unbranded retail outlets.[https://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2007/05/02/afx3676085.html WH Smith to open 33 travel stores at Welcome Break motorway service areas]{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''[Forbes.com](/source/Forbes.com)'', 05/02/07. Initially launched as a trial store at the Newport Pagnell site in February 2007, W H Smith stores have now been rolled out across the Welcome Break portfolio. In May 2025, Toys R Us was added to 5 Whsmith stores as an expansion of the partnership between the two companies. ===Fone Bitz=== Fone Bitz sell electronics across the motorway network and operate at most Welcome Break sites.{{cn|date=August 2024}} Fone Bitz sell a range of Mobile Phone, [iPad](/source/iPad), [iPod](/source/iPod), Laptop, electronic and car accessories in general. ===Welcome Break Gaming=== Welcome Break Gaming is a self branded betting arcade located at all Welcome Break sites, except the Welcome Break operated Days Inn hotels and motels. ===Electric vehicle charging=== In July 2011, [Ecotricity](/source/Ecotricity) announced it would provide [charging station](/source/charging_station)s for electric vehicles at Welcome Break facilities between London, Exeter, and Edinburgh, marketed as part of its 'Electric highway' network of 27 sites.{{cite web |url=http://connevted.blogspot.com/2011/07/uks-first-electric-highway-announced.html |title=ConnEVted: UK's 'first electric highway' announced |access-date=2012-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328035408/http://connevted.blogspot.com/2011/07/uks-first-electric-highway-announced.html |archive-date=28 March 2012 |df=dmy-all}} In July 2021, it was announced that [Gridserve](/source/Gridserve) had purchased [Ecotricity](/source/Ecotricity)'s "Electric Highway" charging network. Gridserve agreed to maintain the network's relationship with Welcome Break, and will start updating charge points to include [contactless payment](/source/contactless_payment) and faster chargers.{{cite web |author1=Competition and Markets Authority |title=Electric vehicle charging market study: Appendices and glossary: Appendix A: En-route Charging |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electric-vehicle-charging-market-study-final-report/appendices-and-glossary |website=GOV.UK |language=en |date=23 July 2021}} In March 2022, the CMA noted that Gridserve was not investing in installing ultra-rapid chargepoints at Welcome Break sites due to business decisions regarding risk, as the agreement with Welcome Break was non-exclusive. The CMA noted that other operators such as Instavolt had installed chargepoints at some Welcome Break locations.{{cite report |title=Investigation into the supply of electric vehicle chargepoints on or near motorways |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-the-supply-of-electric-vehicle-chargepoints-on-or-near-motorways#decision-to-accept-binding-commitments |website=GOV.UK |language=en |date=8 March 2022 |section=Decision to accept commitments (8.3.22) |author=Competition and Markets Authority}} As of 2024, Welcome Break sites also host EV chargers from a range of other providers.{{cite web |title=More than 120 high-power charging hubs have been installed since the start of the year - Zapmap |url=https://www.zapmap.com/news/over-120-charging-hubs-installed-h1-2024 |website=www.zapmap.com |language=en |date=3 July 2024}} ==Logo== thumb|220px|Welcome Break logo until September 2006. thumb|Welcome Break logo used from 2006 to 2020 Welcome Break introduced a new company logo in September 2006. The [swan](/source/swan), integral to the previous company logo, has been removed. The new logo features a black background with the words 'welcome' and 'break' in green and white respectively. Each site now also has a large mural depicting a local landmark unique to that site. Many of these were commissioned from artist [David Fisher](/source/David_Fisher_(artist)). In 2020 the logo was remade with a new font and is no longer in all capital letters.[http://www.davidfisherartist.co.uk/achievements.html David Fisher — Somerset Artist] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025095053/http://www.davidfisherartist.co.uk/achievements.html |date=25 October 2009 }}. In 2020, the logo was updated to be similar to the Applegreen logo. ==Locations== === England, Scotland and Wales === * [Abington](/source/Abington_services) – [M74](/source/M74_motorway) J13 * [Birchanger](/source/Birchanger_Green_services) – [M11](/source/M11_motorway) J8 * [Burtonwood](/source/Burtonwood_services) – [M62](/source/M62_motorway) J8 * [Cardiff Gate](/source/Cardiff_Gate_services) – [M4](/source/M4_motorway) J30 * [Charnock Richard](/source/Charnock_Richard_services) – [M6](/source/M6_motorway) between J27 and J28 * [Corley](/source/Corley_services) – [M6](/source/M6_motorway) between J3 and J4 * [Derby South](/source/Derby_South_services) – [A50](/source/A50_road) between J1 and J2 * [Fleet](/source/Fleet_services) – [M3](/source/M3_motorway_(Great_Britain)) between J4a and J5 * [Gordano](/source/Gordano_services) – [M5](/source/M5_motorway) J19 * Gretna Green – [A74(M)](/source/A74(M)) between J21 and J22 * [Hartshead Moor](/source/Hartshead_Moor_services) – [M62](/source/M62_motorway) between J25 and J26 * [Hopwood Park](/source/Hopwood_Park_services) – [M42](/source/M42_motorway) J2 * [Keele](/source/Keele_services) – [M6](/source/M6_motorway) between J15 and J16 * [Leicester Forest East](/source/Leicester_Forest_East_services) – [M1](/source/M1_motorway) between J21 and J21a * [London Gateway](/source/London_Gateway_services) – [M1](/source/M1_motorway) between J2 and J4 * [Membury](/source/Membury_services) – [M4](/source/M4_motorway) between J14 and J15 * Michaelwood – [M5](/source/M5_motorway) between J13 and J14 * [Newport Pagnell](/source/Newport_Pagnell_services) – [M1](/source/M1_motorway) – between J14 and J15 * [Oxford](/source/Oxford_services) – [M40](/source/M40_motorway) J8a * Peartree – [A34](/source/A34_road) junction with [A44](/source/A44_road) * Rotherham - [M1](/source/M1_motorway) J33 * [Sarn Park](/source/Sarn_Park_services) – [M4](/source/M4_motorway) J36 * [Sedgemoor (Northbound)](/source/Sedgemoor_services) – [M5](/source/M5_motorway) between J21 and J22 * [South Mimms](/source/South_Mimms_services) – [M25](/source/M25_motorway) J23, [A1(M)](/source/A1(M)) J1 * [Telford](/source/Telford_services) – [M54](/source/M54_motorway) J4 * [Warwick](/source/Warwick_services) – [M40](/source/M40_motorway) between J12 and J13 * [Woodall](/source/Woodall_services) – [M1](/source/M1_motorway) between J30 and J31 === Northern Ireland (branded as Applegreen) === * [Ballymena](/source/Ballymena) * [Hillsborough](/source/Royal_Hillsborough) * [Lisburn](/source/Lisburn) (north and south) * [Templepatrick](/source/Templepatrick) ==See also== * [RoadChef](/source/RoadChef) * [Moto](/source/Moto_Hospitality) * [Extra](/source/Extra_(service_areas)) * [Motorway service station](/source/Motorway_service_station) ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20250910121319/https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/investcorp-takes-exit-lane-in-pound500m-welcome-break-deal-r8rzrjr8nq0 ''Times'' article March 2008] ==External links== {{commons category}} * [http://www.welcomebreak.co.uk Welcome Break] {{UK Food}} {{UK Motorway Service Stations}} Category:Catering and food service companies of the United Kingdom Category:British companies established in 1959 Category:Retail companies established in 1959 Category:Food and drink companies established in 1959 Category:Hospitality companies established in 1959 Category:1986 mergers and acquisitions Category:1997 mergers and acquisitions Category:2008 mergers and acquisitions Category:2018 mergers and acquisitions Category:Companies based in Milton Keynes Category:1959 establishments in England Category:British subsidiaries of foreign companies --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Welcome Break](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Break) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Break?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.