Leon, after falling into administration in December, has shut down 22 restaurants and eliminated 244 positions. According to administrators at Quantuma Advisory, Leon currently employs 573 individuals. The company had previously disclosed plans to close approximately 20 unprofitable locations.
While Leon has not publicly listed the specific branches that have closed, recent closures include several restaurants. Financial reports indicate that in 2023, Leon incurred losses of £12.5 million, £8.3 million in 2024, and nearly £10 million based on preliminary 2025 figures.
To adapt to changing circumstances, co-founder John Vincent shared intentions to expand into service stations, airports, and train stations, emphasizing the profitability of such locations compared to traditional high street venues. Vincent attributed the closures to upcoming alterations in business rates calculations and rising operational costs.
Established in 2004 by Vincent, Henry Dimbleby, and Allegra McEvedy, Leon operates 44 company-owned restaurants and 22 franchised ones. Vincent repurchased the business from its previous owners, Asda, in 2025. The company was initially acquired by EG Group, owned by Mohsin Issa and Zuber Issa, in 2021 before becoming part of Asda in 2023.
Leon has initiated a support program for employees affected by store closures, aiming to relocate them within the company where feasible or provide redundancy packages. Additionally, a partnership with Pret A Manger allows affected employees to seek employment through a dedicated platform.
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