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<\/p>\nASDA is to open high street fast food restaurants in stores after snapping up a popular chain.<\/p>\n
It follows the completion of the supermarket's acquisition of EG Group's UK business – owner of Leon Restaurants.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The supermarket which operates out of 580 stores could soon welcome Leon fast-food counters in selected locations.<\/p>\n
But Asda won't confirm how many restaurants could expand into its supermarkets.<\/p>\n
A source at the chain said that it's too early to comment at this stage.<\/p>\n
Lean was founded in 2004 by John Vincent\u00a0and\u00a0Henry Dimbleby\u00a0with chef\u00a0Allegra McEved and its first store was located in Carnaby Street.<\/p>\n
By 2015, the brand operated out of 57 locations across the UK and by 2018 this expanded to 61 branches.<\/p>\n The company was sold for \u00a3100million to the Issa brother's EG Group in April 2021.<\/p>\n It followed the group's purchase of Asda in 2020.<\/p>\n As part of a consortium with private equity firm TDR Capital, they bought\u00a0Asda\u00a0from Walmart for \u00a36.8billion, becoming\u00a0majority stakeholders in the supermarket chain.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n However, as part of a restructuring plan, in October 2023, EG Group sold its UK operations, including Leon Restaurants, to Asda Group.<\/p>\n Around 462 Greggs, Burger King and Subway restaurants run under franchises have also transferred to Asda's ownership as part of the sale.<\/p>\n Speaking on the news, Mohsin Issa, co-owner of Asda said:\u00a0"This is a great time for Asda and for millions of UK consumers.<\/p>\n "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."<\/p>\n "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.<\/p>\n "The acquisition also accelerates Asda\u2019s move into the \u00a362bn foodservice market, with the transfer of 462 Greggs, Burger King and Subway outlets as franchise agreements.<\/p>\n "Asda now wholly owns Leon, which it will also look to introduce to its stores."<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Asda is now in the process of opening 356 new\u00a0petrol station convenience stores in the coming weeks, and one could appear near you.<\/p>\n The supermarket will open its stores in\u00a0England,\u00a0Scotland\u00a0and\u00a0Wales\u00a0and the project is expected to be completed in 2026.<\/p>\n The stores will have everything you expect from a petrol station stop, as well as snacks,\u00a0coffee and "top-up" facilities.<\/p>\n Asda\u00a0has recently released a teaser of its festive advert featuring \u00a0Michael Bubl\u00e9.<\/p>\n The teaser, which premiered\u00a0yesterday morning\u00a0(November 1) on\u00a0ITV\u00a0at 9.40am during\u00a0Good Morning Britain, put\u00a0seasonal speculation\u00a0to rest as Michael makes his merry debut.<\/p>\n Asda\u00a0revealed its Christmas food menu\u00a0back in October.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/rw-comp-my-first-home-nov01.jpeg\")
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