News

LEON adding to US footprint

Provided

September 20, 2019

Just more than a year after London-based LEON brought its natural fast-food concept across the pond with a downtown Washington, D.C., location, and a month after opening its second U.S. location near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the brand is opening two more units.

The first will open next month at 1350 I St., in Washington, D.C., followed by the chain's first location outside the district in Fairfax, Virginia's Mosaic District at 2905 District Ave.

LEON, which has 71 units worldwide, is on track to have 15 units open by 2020 in the U.S.

"LEON chose EDENS Mosaic District for its vibrant, sophisticated environment that connects families and friends together through a curated mix of unique retail, restaurant and entertainment experiences," the chain's US President Glenn Edwards said in the release. "It allows LEON to bring our mission to a family focused clientele. As this is our first American location outside of D.C. After all, we heard Virginia is for LEON lovers!" 

Founded in 2004, LEON's mission is to "make it easier for everyone to eat and live well," according to Co-founder John Vincent. The chain has locations in the U.K., U.S., Norway, the Netherlands, Gran Canaria and Ireland and is backed by two principal investors, including Brazil-based GP Investments, a global private equity fund, and London-based, Active Private Equity. In 2017, GP Investments' subsidiary, Spice Private Equity, invested in LEON to fund its growth in Europe and the U.S.