This is a classic case of hubris meets inflation. Leon thought the world would always be hungry for a £10 bowl of veggie chili. But the world changed. Now, people are making their own veggie chili at home using expired lentils and a prayer.
Also, let’s not pretend we are all devastated. If you ever had their “Frozen Yogurt” that tasted like wet chalk, you may actually feel a small, petty sense of relief. No more pretending to enjoy that.
What’s Next for British Lunch?
With Leon closing 23 stores, the crown for “Healthy-ish Fast Food” is up for grabs. Pret A Manger is probably rubbing its hands together like a cartoon villain. But be warned: Pret is also doing layoffs. The entire “fast-casual” industry is having a collective nervous breakdown.
The takeaway is simple: if you want to guarantee a restaurant stays open, sell fried chicken. Fried chicken never goes through a restructuring. It just keeps winning.
As for Leon? It will survive. It’ll be smaller, more focused, and perhaps a bit less smug. And in a few years, when everyone is eating insects for breakfast, we will all look back at Leon fondly as the chain that tried to make us eat vegetables while we were running for a train. We will say, “Ah, those were the days.” Then we will eat a cricket chip.
