Leon announces rapid like for like boost in early 2019 backed up by vegan offering

Fast-casual chain Leon has reported a like-for-like increase of 22.9% following the bolstering of its vegan offering.

The brand introduced its Love burger - including a vegan meat-free beetroot patty - in January. The offering is currently the third largest selling item on the brand's menu falling only behind its baked fries and satay chicken hot box.

The burger has been accompanied with a broad increase in the number of vegetarian and vegan options available from the firm. In Q1 48% of the offering was vegetarian and 40% vegan, up from 40% and 28% respectively for the same period in 2016.

The company also announced three planned openings for the coming months - including its first out-of-town shopping centre opening in Cheshire Oaks, scheduled for 10 April; its Dublin Temple Bar site scheduled for 8 May and another at Notting Hill Gate, London, due to open on 20 May. A second Dublin site is scheduled for later in the year, along with locations in Basel, Switzerland and Washington DC, US.