As of 2019[update], the brand has more than 1,030 points of sale (including 450 stores in Belgium and Luxembourg, and 290 in France) in 32 countries, the majority of which are franchises and around 40 are subsidiaries.

[3][unreliable source] Born in 1882 in Nigdi, Anatolia, Turkey, Leonidas Georges Kestekides of Greek heritage made a living by selling 'granitas', a kind of sorbet, and other sweets alongside his brother, Avraam.

The brand's font and logo were chosen by Basilio Kestekides in honor of the Greek roots of his uncle.

He used the effigy of the King of Sparta, Leonidas I, who died in the Battle of Thermopylae during his opposition to the Second Persian invasion of Greece.

At the time, the manon, filled with butter cream on a nougatine base, was dipped in melted sugar using a fork.