Asda to open high street fast food restaurants in stores after buying chain with 149 branches – is one coming near you?

ASDA is to open high street fast food restaurants in stores after snapping up a popular chain.

It follows the completion of the supermarket’s acquisition of EG Group’s UK business – owner of Leon Restaurants.

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The supermarket which operates out of 580 stores could soon welcome Leon fast-food counters in selected locations.

But Asda won’t confirm how many restaurants could expand into its supermarkets.

A source at the chain said that it’s too early to comment at this stage.

Lean was founded in 2004 by John Vincent and Henry Dimbleby with chef Allegra McEved and its first store was located in Carnaby Street.

By 2015, the brand operated out of 57 locations across the UK and by 2018 this expanded to 61 branches.

The company was sold for £100million to the Issa brother’s EG Group in April 2021.

It followed the group’s purchase of Asda in 2020.

As part of a consortium with private equity firm TDR Capital, they bought Asda from Walmart for £6.8billion, becoming majority stakeholders in the supermarket chain.

However, as part of a restructuring plan, in October 2023, EG Group sold its UK operations, including Leon Restaurants, to Asda Group.

Around 462 Greggs, Burger King and Subway restaurants run under franchises have also transferred to Asda’s ownership as part of the sale.

Speaking on the news, Mohsin Issa, co-owner of Asda said: “This is a great time for Asda and for millions of UK consumers.

“Asda is a much-loved brand that is instantly recognised for great value. I could not be more proud or excited that the iconic Asda sign is now coming to hundreds more communities.”

“Asda’s growth strategy in the convenience sector is a key part of its long-term ambition to become the UK’s second-largest supermarket.

“The acquisition also accelerates Asda’s move into the £62bn foodservice market, with the transfer of 462 Greggs, Burger King and Subway outlets as franchise agreements.

“Asda now wholly owns Leon, which it will also look to introduce to its stores.”

This deal builds on Asda’s acquisition of 119 convenience sites with attached PFS from the Co-op Group, which started to convert to the Asda Express fascia earlier this month, and the successful launch of three standalone Asda Express convenience sites since October 2022.

The EG and Co-op acquisitions, plus the three Asda Express stores currently open, give Asda 478 convenience stores today, with a commitment to opening a further 300 stand-alone convenience stores by the end of 2026.

Asda is now in the process of opening 356 new petrol station convenience stores in the coming weeks, and one could appear near you.

The supermarket will open its stores in England, Scotland and Wales and the project is expected to be completed in 2026.

The stores will have everything you expect from a petrol station stop, as well as snacks, coffee and “top-up” facilities.

Asda has recently released a teaser of its festive advert featuring  Michael Bublé.

The teaser, which premiered yesterday morning (November 1) on ITV at 9.40am during Good Morning Britain, put seasonal speculation to rest as Michael makes his merry debut.

Asda revealed its Christmas food menu back in October.

It features chocolate bowls you can eat and giant mince pies.

We’ve listed some of our favourite items from Asda’s Christmas menu.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk