Harrogate’s Leon drive-thru restaurant on Wetherby Road will open on Friday from 7am.
The Mediterranean-inspired fast food chain will be open daily from 7am to 10pm, except Sundays when it will be open from 8am to 10pm. It will have 70 covers, including some outdoor seating.
The restaurant has created 20 jobs and will feature digital kiosks.
Alex Parkinson, a Harrogate local who was originally hired by Leon as the assistant general manager at the firm’s Gildersome drive-thru, is leading the team.
The company describes itself as being good for the environment and its menu includes “carbon neutral” burgers, rice boxes, breakfast muffins, egg pots and cakes.
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The opening will end a saga that has gone back several years.
Originally, a Starbucks coffee drive-thru was planned for the site but it was refused by Harrogate Borough Council only for the decision to be overturned by a government inspector.
Concerns remain from residents who live near the site on how the drive-thru will affect traffic on the busy Wetherby Road.
Leon was bought by Blackburn billionaires the Issa brothers in 2021.
Glenn Edwards, Leon’s managing director said:
“Since opening our first drive-thru restaurant last year, we have been eager to grow this style of restaurant in order to bring Leon to more guests and allow them to experience Leon while on the go – something that aligns with our mission to bring naturally fast food that tastes good, does you good and is kind to the planet.
“Our opening in Harrogate is a massive achievement across all fronts.”
