Leon to open at railway stations across the UK

Healthy fast food chain Leon has signed a five-year deal to open restaurants at railway stations across the UK.

It is expected to begin by bringing its Hot Boxes and salads to London’s Paddington and Liverpool Street stations later this year.

The group – which saw profits jump to £2.26m in 2015 – has partnered with travel food specialist SSP, which operates restaurants in Stansted and Heathrow airport.

John Vincent, co-founder of Leon, said: “When we started we imagined what fast food would be like in heaven – fast, fresh and naturally flavourful. And just like traditional fast food, we aim to be where people need and want us – on busy high streets, in airports and in train stations.”

Leon was founded by John Vincent and Henry Dimbleby – the son of broadcaster David Dimbleby – in 2004.

It currently operates 35 stores in London, Birmingham and transport hubs around the UK.

The group’s first restaurants in Scotland and Amsterdam are set to launch this summer, ahead of a planned Florida site in 2017.

It comes after Leon secured a £11.5m investment from HSBC last October to enable it to grow the business both in the UK and internationally.

Vincent said: “This partnership with SSP in UK train stations means that together we can bring naturally fast food to even more busy people across the UK."