Leon, the popular fast food chain, has permanently shut down 22 of its restaurants and eliminated 244 jobs following its collapse into administration in December 2025. This significant restructuring comes as the company grapples with mounting financial pressures and a strategic pivot away from traditional high street locations.
Financial Struggles and Administration Details
According to the latest report from administrators at Quantuma Advisory, Leon now employs 573 staff members, a sharp reduction from previous levels. The chain had previously indicated plans to close approximately 20 unprofitable sites, and this recent announcement confirms those closures have been implemented. The company has not released a comprehensive list of all affected branches, but several confirmed locations include Brighton on North Street, Brixton Road in London, Chancery Lane in High Holborn, Cheapside in London, George Street in Richmond, Notting Hill Gate in London, Manchester Piccadilly, Milton Keynes at Asda, Tongham in Surrey, Wimbledon Hill Road in London, and Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush.
Substantial Losses Over Recent Years
Financial disclosures reveal that Leon suffered severe losses in recent years, with figures reported by The Telegraph showing a deficit of £12.5 million in 2023, £8.3 million in 2024, and nearly £10 million based on draft numbers for 2025. These persistent financial challenges have been a key driver behind the decision to enter administration and streamline operations.
Strategic Shift Towards Transport Hubs
In a recent interview on the BBC Big Boss Interview podcast, John Vincent, co-founder of Leon, outlined a new strategic direction for the chain. He announced plans to focus expansion efforts on service stations, airports, and train stations, rather than traditional high street locations. Vincent explained that a modest 2% profit margin at an airport can be equivalent to a 6% margin on the high street, due to potentially higher revenue volumes. He stated, "You might be doing two or three times the revenue in that airport than you might in a high street location," highlighting the economic rationale behind this shift.
Factors Behind the Closures
Vincent attributed the restaurant closures to several external factors, including upcoming changes to business rates calculations and overall increases in operational costs. He emphasized that the entire fast food sector is facing similar challenges, with many companies reporting significant losses due to evolving working patterns and what he described as increasingly unsustainable tax burdens.
Company Background and Ownership Changes
Leon was established in 2004 by co-founders John Vincent, Henry Dimbleby, and Allegra McEvedy. The chain currently operates 44 company-owned restaurants and maintains 22 franchised outlets. Ownership of Leon has changed hands multiple times in recent years; it was sold to EG Group, owned by Mohsin Issa and Zuber Issa, in 2021, before becoming part of their Asda business in 2023. Vincent repurchased the company from Asda in 2025, citing strategic misalignment, as he noted, "In the last two years, Asda had bigger fish to fry, and Leon was always a business they didn’t feel fitted their strategy."
Support for Redundant Employees
In response to the job losses, Leon has implemented a support programme for employees affected by the store closures. Vincent explained, "In the first instance, we will look to find people roles in other Leon restaurants. Where that is not possible, for example if there is no Leon restaurant within commuting distance, people will receive redundancy payments." Additionally, the company has established a partnership with Pret A Manger, creating a dedicated channel for affected Leon employees to apply for jobs, aiming to mitigate the impact of the redundancies.
