Leon, after entering administration in December, has shut down 22 of its restaurants and eliminated 244 jobs. According to the latest information from Quantuma Advisory, Leon now retains 573 employees, with plans to close approximately 20 unprofitable locations.
Although a complete list of closed branches has not been disclosed by Leon, reports indicate that several restaurants are no longer operational. The company faced losses of £12.5 million in 2023, £8.3 million in 2024, and nearly £10 million based on preliminary figures for 2025, as reported by The Telegraph.
In a recent podcast interview, Leon’s co-founder, John Vincent, revealed intentions to expand the brand’s presence in transportation hubs like service stations, airports, and train stations. Vincent emphasized the profitability potential in such locations, stating that a 2% profit margin at an airport holds equivalent value to a 6% margin on a typical high street.
Vincent attributed the closures of Leon outlets to impending changes in business rates calculation methods and overall cost escalations. Established in 2004 by Vincent, Henry Dimbleby, and Allegra McEvedy, Leon operates 44 company-owned restaurants and franchises 22 others.
Following a repurchase by John Vincent from Asda in 2025, Leon, previously acquired by the EG Group in 2021 and integrated into the Asda business in 2023, has undergone strategic realignments. Vincent expressed that Leon did not align with Asda’s overarching strategy, particularly amidst industry challenges such as evolving work patterns and unsustainable tax burdens.
Leon has introduced a support program for employees affected by store closures, aiming to either relocate them to other Leon outlets or provide redundancy packages if relocation is unfeasible. Additionally, a partnership with Pret A Manger offers affected Leon staff opportunities to apply for positions through a specialized channel.