Leon goes green with renewable energy deal

By Sophie Witts

22-Aug-2016 - Last updated on 23-Aug-2016 at 10:20 GMT

Leon has switched to a green energy deal which will see it power all its restaurants using wind farms, solar panels and hydro and anaerobic digestion.

The healthy fast food chain is working in partnership with Opus Energy to use 100 per cent renewable power.

Leon said that it wanted to drive its eco-friendly message even though the clean energy contract was not ‘the cheapest offer on the table’.

Kirsty Saddler, Leon marketing director, said: “At Leon we want our food to taste good, do you good and make you feel good. We are determined to invest in the future, rather than just the bottom line.”

Leon was founded by John Vincent and Henry Dimbleby – the son of broadcaster David Dimbleby – in 2004.

The group is known for its often unconventional approach to business, including training all baristas in the martial art of Wing Tsun to speed up coffee making, and signing up to Jamie Oliver’s sugary drinks tax.

The chain is set to open 50 new restaurants over the next four years after securing a funding deal worth £19m from OakNorth bank.

The green energy drive covers all Leon-owned stores where the energy contract is not managed by a third party.