Clyde & Co advises LEON Group on sale to EG Group

Global law firm Clyde & Co has advised the majority shareholders of LEON Restaurants on the sale of the LEON Group to EG Group.

LEON is a prominent British fresh fast food restaurant chain founded in 2004 with a focus on ‘naturally fast food’ - affordable food that tastes good, does you good, and is kind to the planet. LEON has a network of over 70 restaurants in the UK and 29 franchised sites at key strategic transport hubs (mainly airports and train stations) across the UK and five other European markets, principally The Netherlands.

The brand has always championed seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired and free-from food, and was the first to display nutritional symbols on their menus. LEON also believes it should play its role in society as part of its broader mission. Last year, John Vincent, co-founder and CEO at LEON, partnered with actors Damian Lewis, Helen McCrory and Matt Lucas to launch FeedNHS. The non-for-profit campaign raised vital funds and with partners delivered a million meals to key workers on the NHS front line during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Founded in 2001 by the Issa Family, UK-based EG Group is a major convenience retailer which has established partnerships with global brands, operating over 700 foodservice outlets in the UK & Ireland prior to the transaction. Following the transaction, EG Group plans to open around 20 LEON sites per year from 2022, with potential for LEON’s non-restaurant products across its convenience retail proposition.

Clyde & Co advised shareholders including Active Capital Partners, Spice Private Equity and co-founder and CEO John Vincent on the sale, with corporate finance advice provided by Rothschild & Co and specialist accounting advice provided by PWC. EG Group were advised by Skadden. The Clyde & Co team was led by partner Richard Elks.

Richard Elks comments: “It was a pleasure to work with the majority shareholders of LEON, including John Vincent and LEON’s investors Active Capital Partners and Spice Private Equity, on this milestone transaction. LEON is a real pioneer company who we are proud to have supported over the last few years.”    

Clyde & Co's corporate team provides wide-ranging and detailed advice on corporate matters to clients operating in key sectors across the globe, including retail and hospitality.  The team’s skill-set extends to all aspects of corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, disposals and joint ventures, and can guide clients on every aspect of a transaction, supplying cross-border expertise as needed.