However, speaking to BigHospitality's sister site MCA, the healthy fast food chain hasn’t ruled out opening restaurants in the country again in the future.
The business launched in the States in 2018 and had plans for expand the brand further, however the pandemic resulted in the sites not being viable to operate.
Nick Ayerst, managing director, Leon told MCA that although the brand was 'incredibly well received' by customers in the US, 'the impact of Covid-19 took hold on high-density downtown locations and, like many US restaurants, the impact on LEON was too great to sustain'.
He said: “The impact It was a tough decision to exit the US after such a warm reception, closing all restaurants at the end of January 2021.
“We have an eye on a US re-entry in a calmer future but, for now, we are focused on strengthening our UK and European core through continuing to make fast food, good food.”
Late last year Leon's creditors approved a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) that allowed the group to restructure the business and move to turnover-based rent model.
This is a version of a story that first appeared on BigHospitality’s sister website MCA. To subscribe to its breaking news feed, click here.
