It was announced today that LEON, the Naturally Fast Food brand, plans to open 20 restaurants nationwide by 2023, creating 600 new jobs across the Irish service industry.

LEON has announced its first Irish location in Temple Bar. Located on Crown Alley in the former Eager Beaver, LEON will open its doors in May 2019. The London based chain will open a second LEON outlet in Dundrum Town Centre later in 2019.

LEON’s food is based around the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, aimed at creating fast food that not only tastes good, but is healthy. The team will be working with local Irish suppliers to bring their menu to Ireland.

The multiple award-winning restaurant group has 63 restaurants worldwide and over 50 around the UK in addition to restaurants in Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Oslo. Most recently it opened its first US restaurant in Washington DC and will open a second restaurant this summer in Mount Vernon Triangle DC.

Speaking about the Temple Bar opening, Managing Director at Leon, Stuart Fitzgerald said, "We are absolutely delighted to finally reveal that Ireland’s first LEON will be located at the former Eager Beaver shop in Temple Bar. Temple Bar is a melting pot of culture, creativity and individuality which makes it the perfect setting for LEON’s Irish launch."

He added, "We are very proud to be able to say we will be making such a positive impact on the Irish economy over the next five years with the creation of 600 jobs and using so many Irish suppliers in our various locations across the country. We are so excited to be bringing a unique brand like LEON to Ireland."

Source: www.businessworld.ie