Major UK food chain Leon has sparked customer fury by announcing the abrupt cancellation of its popular monthly coffee subscription service. The company confirmed it will scrap the Roast Rewards scheme from January 1, less than two years after its launch.
End of an era for coffee lovers
The £25 per month subscription allowed members to claim up to five coffees daily, provided there was at least an hour between each drink. Subscribers also enjoyed a 20% discount on food from Leon's menu, making it a popular choice among regular visitors.
Founder John Vincent broke the news in an email sent to select loyal customers, describing the decision as part of an initiative to "remove all the parts that don't feel like Leon any more".
Founder's return sparks major changes
Vincent, who returned to the company in November 2025 after selling it in May 2021, expressed disappointment with changes implemented during his absence. He stated the coffee subscription was "getting in the way" of his mission to restore Leon's reputation for quality.
"Although Leon is clearly a business, owning Leon and looking after guests like you is a deeply personal endeavour," Vincent wrote to customers. "Helping people enjoy the natural health that is rightfully theirs is what I get most joy from."
Customer backlash and company response
The announcement has triggered widespread anger among subscribers, with many threatening to boycott the 21-year-old chain. Social media platforms have seen numerous complaints from customers who relied on the subscription for their daily coffee fix.
A Leon spokesman explained the decision forms part of Vincent's '108 initiative' aimed at bringing "harmony back to everything we do". The number 108 symbolises balance and wholeness in the company's new approach.
The chain also revealed plans to enrol staff in Wing Tsun martial arts training to improve coffee-making efficiency while "lowering heart rates". The spokesman added that removing Roast Rewards would help eliminate processes that "make daily operations more difficult for its teams".
Despite the customer backlash, Vincent maintains that ending the subscription represents "the right thing for our guests, our teams, and the quality of the coffee we serve".
