Leon Announces Closures and Job Cuts in Restructuring

Leon, the UK-based fast food chain known for its healthy eating options, announced plans to close several restaurants and reduce jobs as part of a major restructuring effort following the appointment of administrators. The move comes shortly after co-founder John Vincent repurchased the business from Asda last month, aiming to stabilize operations amid ongoing industry pressures.

The company has engaged advisers from Quantuma to guide the process after applying for an administration order. This step will allow Leon to propose a company voluntary arrangement, or CVA, to overhaul its structure and ensure the brand's long-term viability. In a statement, Leon emphasized that the immediate focus is on eliminating unprofitable locations while maintaining all current restaurants open and serving customers as usual. The exact number of closures among its approximately 70 UK sites, including 44 company-owned outlets and 22 franchises, remains undecided, as does the scale of job losses among its 1,120 employees.

Vincent, who co-founded Leon in 2004 alongside Henry Dimbleby and Allegra McEvedy, acquired the chain in a deal valued between 30 million and 50 million pounds, a fraction of the...