UK: Leon aims to create over 4,000 jobs over the next three years
The fast food brand has confirmed it will open 50 new restaurants in the next year to complete a quarter of its growth strategy’s goal.
Fast food brand Leon has announced a new growth strategy that aims to speed up it’s expansion programme. The company revealed plans to open more than 50 restaurants in the next year creating over 1,000 jobs and is aiming to create a total of 4,000 new positions over the next three years.
“We are very excited to announce a significant acceleration of Leon’s expansion. For the first time we will be taking Leon across the country, driving regional growth at speed. The new formats in this rollout will build on our traditional restaurants and form a base for further growth,” said Glenn Edwards, Managing Director of Leon restaurants.
The firm is planning on supporting its regional growth, with openings in Scotland and Wales planned for early 2022. Additionally, Leon will also expand internationally by opening its own restaurants in the Netherlands followed by a wider European expansion programme.
“Making LEON even more accessible is at the heart of this strategic expansion. We are absolutely focused on delivering for our clients and living up to Leon’s mission - making it easier for everybody to eat well, live well and be kind to the planet,” added Edwards.
“When EG Group purchased LEON this year, we saw a great brand with substantial potential for growth. We’re pleased that the business is now set to deliver on that promise, both in the UK and Europe,” stated Mohsin Issa CBE and Zuber Issa CBE, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of EG Group. “Our investment in LEON, coupled with EG’s unparalleled operational excellence in foodservice operations, is unlocking considerable value and will help to deliver significant future growth and continue the diversification of EG’s business,” they added.
After EG Group acquired Leon at the beginning of the year, the brand announced plans to open 20 locations over 2022. After meeting success with its first new sites, the company decided to upscale its United Kingdom expansion. The new restaurants will include both traditional and new formats such as DriveThrus, smaller restaurants on petrol forecourts and Asda premises; and Leon To Go coffee outlets.
The new sites will be accompanied by additional investment into digital platforms, which will include new digital kiosks and menu screens. Future developments will include remote orders by customers without needing to form a queue whether they be at the restaurant, in a car or at home.
