Leon, under administration since December, has shut down 22 restaurants and terminated 244 jobs. Administrators at Quantuma Advisory disclosed that Leon now employs 573 staff, following the closure of approximately 20 unprofitable locations.
Although Leon has not disclosed a comprehensive list of the closed branches, reports confirm the shutdown of several restaurants. The company incurred losses of £12.5 million in 2023, £8.3 million in 2024, and nearly £10 million as per preliminary figures for 2025, according to The Telegraph.
In a recent development, Leon’s co-founder, John Vincent, shared plans to expand into service stations, airports, and train stations rather than traditional high street locations. Vincent emphasized the profitability potential in transport hubs, stating that a 2% profit margin at an airport holds equivalent value to a 6% margin on the high street.
Attributing the closures to upcoming changes in business rates calculation and rising overall costs, Vincent highlighted challenges faced by companies, including Leon’s peers, due to evolving working patterns and tax burdens.
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 Asda in 2025 after it was acquired by EG Group in 2021 and integrated into Asda in 2023.
Leon has initiated a support program for employees affected by store closures, ensuring options for redeployment within the company or providing redundancy payments when relocation is not feasible. Additionally, a collaboration with Pret A Manger offers affected Leon employees opportunities for job applications through a dedicated channel.