More than a decade ago, in 2004, John Vicent carried out a line of business that he had been studying for some time. Two concepts would merge with his idea – fast food and healthy food. He then took the big leap and in a central London street he opened his first Leon restaurant, where fast food stereotypes would be torn apart.
Key ideas and strategies are carried out in this chain of fast food restaurants. The ingredients used are as fresh as possible, seasonal and from reliable suppliers. In the kitchen, baking and roasting prevails. They use EVOO exclusively, and avoid adding too much salt. Therefore, they supplement this lack of salt with spices and herbs to enhance the flavor of the dishes prepared. Everything is served freshly cooked and they have an efficient organization, therefore everything that is sold is fresh and healthy. They avoid using sauces as they accompany dishes with EVOO. Also, fruits are a fundamental part of the desserts.
Not only do they care about the healthiness of their food, but they also collaborate internally with social aid projects. They have a Made Blue drinking water system, a water system in which, for every liter of water consumed, the same amount of drinking water is donated to places in desperate need of it. Not only is aid given to the disadvantaged, but also to the environment, as the amount of plastic generated by packaging is reduced.
In 2013 John Vicent, participated in the school feeding program promoted by the government, creating the School Meal Plan. This plan includes small notions of cooking for young people, which teaches the importance of having a healthy and balanced diet. It considers EVOO as an essential fat and fundamental ingredient in our day. This plan has helped more than five million students acquire healthy eating habits and is being carried out in 22,000 schools.
Leon is present in more than 17 countries distributed all throughout the globe. This chain’s goal is to change the habits of its clients, while giving them a great gastronomic experience at the same time.