The healthy fast food chain Leon is set to open its first branch in Wales in early 2022.
Known for its menu of wraps, warm stews, chargrilled chicken burgers, salads and baked fries, the chain plans to open 50 new sites across the UK in 2022, creating 1,000 jobs.
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As part of its new sites, Leon will expand into Wales for the very first time with an opening planned for early 2022. However, the company has not yet revealed where the Welsh location or locations will be.
Leon currently has over 70 sites in England as well as branches in Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
The new outlets planned for the UK will include a mix of traditional restaurants, DriveThrus, smaller restaurants on petrol forecourts and Asda premises, and LEON To Go coffee outlets.
Earlier this year, the chain was purchased by Billionaire brothers Mohsin Issa and Zuber Issa, who own supermarket giant Asda. At the time, the deal was said to be worth £100 million according to the Financial Times.
Speaking about the expansion plans, Glenn Edwards, managing director of Leon restaurants, said: “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.”
Leon isn’t the only chain which might arrive in Wales in 2022. American burger chain Wendy’s plans to open 50 branches across the UK next year and is engaging in discussions with franchise partners to grow their presence across the country, including in Wales.
