London-Based LEON Brings Healthy Fast Food To DC

WASHINGTON, DC — London-based LEON, a self-proclaimed pioneer of "Naturally Fast Food" is slated to open it's first U.S. location on Monday, Sept. 10 at 1724 L Street NW in DC.

Named for its co-founder and CEO John Vincent's father, LEON takes a holistic approach to fast food, offering Mediterranean fare packed with plants, good meats, healthy fats from nuts, seeds and oils and naturally falvored with fesh herbs and spices.

“We set about to create fast food that first and foremost tastes fantastic, that is surprisingly good for you, affordable, and kind to the planet,” Vincent said.

LEON's breakfast menu includes dishes such as the Smashed Avocado & Halloumi Muffin and Blueberry, Honey & Toasted Seeds Oatmeal Porridge. The daytime menu features dishes like the Moroccan Meatballs, Sweet Potato Falafel, Chicken Superfood Salad and Lamb Kofte Wrap.

“Our goal is to serve you within 45 seconds of you reaching the front of the line,” Vincent said. “This is a fast food model, with five fast-moving lines, fast food menu boards, and a kitchen that makes good food at speed.”

As with their London restaurants, the D.C. LEON will be powered by sustainable energy (100 pe rcent wind power). LEON has also continued to increase the number of plant-based dishes on the menu, and proactively removed all plastic straws and cutlery. Additionally, packaging is compostable, minimizing their carbon footprint and limiting the amount of natural capital required to operate.

“D.C. feels like the most special of starts to our U.S. adventure,” Vincent said. “We have found the people, community and culture of D.C. very inspiring. We hope we can do our bit to make it easier for Washingtonians to eat and live well.”

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D.C. represents the fifth international city for the U.K.-based restaurant concept. LEON has grown to 60 restaurants since 2004 with locations in Oslo, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Gran Canaria, and has plans to grow in other cities across Europe and the U.S.

LEON, the London-based pioneer of “Naturally Fast Food” will open its first U.S. location in mid-September at 1724 L Street NW in Washington D.C.

Image: Screenshot via YouTube