Value More is based on real world "big box" chain stores such as Wal-Mart and Target. Many of the things Value More does are based on real allegations that have been made against such stores. The "cheer" the employees are made to do, for example, is based on a similar cheer performed by Wal-Mart employees.
In The Low Low Price Job, the alias Hardison gives Sophie is "Dr. Ellie Sattler." Dr. Ellie Sattler was the name of Laura Dern's character in Jurassic Park (1993). When Sophie complains about the complicated scientific terms Hardison wants her to memorize, she says they're probably not real words, and are the "names of dinosaurs or something," to which Hardison replies "Dinosaurs are real." The plot of Jurassic Park revolves around dinosaurs being brought back from extinction.
Both Christian Kane [Elliot Spencer] and Brigid Brannagh [Caroline Cowan] had recurring roles on the series Angel (1999).
The catchy interlude music often heard throughout the Leverage series is reminiscent of Stink, by John Lurie, in the movie Get Shorty. John Lurie did all of the catchy and alluring music of mystique for Jim Jarmusch's films, Stranger Than Paradise, Down By Law, starring Tom Waites, et more.