Leon, which went into administration in December, has shut down 22 restaurants and cut 244 jobs. According to administrators at Quantuma Advisory, the company now employs 573 staff after closing unprofitable sites.
While specific details of the closed branches have not been disclosed by Leon, reports indicate that several restaurants have ceased operations. The Telegraph disclosed that the company incurred losses of £12.5 million in 2023, £8.3 million in 2024, and nearly £10 million based on preliminary 2025 figures.
In a recent podcast interview on the BBC Big Boss Interview, co-founder John Vincent revealed plans to expand Leon’s presence in transport hubs such as service stations, airports, and train stations. Vincent emphasized the potential profitability of locations in these areas compared to high street venues.
Vincent attributed the closures of Leon outlets to impending changes in business rates calculation methods and general cost escalations. Established in 2004 by Vincent, Henry Dimbleby, and Allegra McEvedy, Leon operates 44 company-owned restaurants and 22 franchised outlets.
In 2025, Vincent repurchased the business from its former owner, Asda. Previously, Leon was acquired by Mohsin Issa and Zuber Issa’s EG Group in 2021 and subsequently integrated into Asda’s operations in 2023. Vincent stated that Asda’s strategic focus did not align with Leon’s operations, leading to the divestiture.
To support employees affected by store closures, Leon has implemented a program offering job placements in other Leon restaurants or redundancy payments if no suitable roles are available. Additionally, an arrangement with Pret A Manger allows impacted Leon staff to apply for positions through a dedicated channel.