Leon, the high street food chain known for its “naturally fast food”, has announced plans to close about 20 of its restaurants and cut jobs as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at saving the business.
The move follows the company’s decision to appoint Quantuma as administrators, only weeks after co-founder John Vincent reacquired the brand from Asda. The restructuring places the future of the worst-performing sites among Leon’s 71 restaurants at risk, though all outlets currently remain open.
With around 1,000 employees across the UK, Leon has yet to confirm how many staff may be affected. However, the chain said it would prioritise redeploying workers to branches that remain operational. A partnership with Pret A Manger has also been launched to help staff secure new positions if internal transfers are not possible.
Vincent said the company was losing approximately £10 million annually, prompting an immediate review of operations and a plan to shutter the most unprofitable sites. “In many cases we have found other brands to replace us, and in others we will be asking landlords to take the leases back and find better suited operators themselves,” he explained.
He added that customers should expect “big changes on the menu from next spring”, signalling a broader effort to revive Leon’s original mission and financial health.
The co-founder said the company had drifted from its core values during its period under EG Group and Asda ownership. While emphasising sympathy for the challenges faced by previous management, he noted that Leon “didn’t fit” within Asda’s long-term strategy. Asda has been contacted for comment.
Vincent also highlighted the mounting pressures facing the wider hospitality sector, citing post-pandemic work patterns, rising costs and what he described as increasingly unsustainable taxes. “Today for every pound we receive from the customer, around 36p goes to the government in tax, and about 2p ends up in the hands of the company,” he said.
Quantuma will now work with Leon over the coming weeks to review leases and negotiate with landlords as part of the recovery plan. While no closures have yet been finalised, significant changes are expected as the company pushes to stem losses and stabilise operations.
Founded in 2004 with a mission to provide healthier fast food, Leon grew rapidly and became known for its rice boxes, fresh herbs and sustainability-led ethos.
Its administration comes amid mounting strain on UK hospitality, following Pizza Hut UK operator DC London Pie’s decision in October to close 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites, cutting more than 1,200 jobs. Administrators attributed the closures to “challenging trading conditions and increased costs”.
Leon’s restructuring underscores the difficulties facing high street food operators as consumer habits shift and economic pressures intensify. For Vincent, however, the changes represent a crucial step toward preserving a brand he believes still holds a vital place in Britain’s food landscape.
