Beloved restaurant chain that shut ALL stores four years ago comes back from the dead
- Sweet Tomatoes closed all 97 outlets in 2020 after filing for bankruptcy during the pandemic
- Now one has reopened in Arizona, forcing cash-strapped guests to wait in line for hours
- New COO Mike Malone said the company has been acquired by ‘enthusiastic fans’
Diners lined up to celebrate the unexpected return of a beloved Southern restaurant chain that was left for dead by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sweet Tomatoes closed all 97 salad restaurants in May 2020 as the pandemic and lockdown rules swept through the industry.
The impact continues to be felt as more than a dozen of America’s best-known names, including Applebees, Red Lobster and Denny’s, continue to close locations in 2024.
But fans came from across the country after Sweet Tomatoes reopened an outlet at its former site in Tucson, Arizona, where dozens of guests shared their excitement with millions of viewers on social media.
“We’ll be right back,” said one customer who drove seven hours from LA. “They keep trying to tell us that we’re not the first to do this.”
Food fans lined up as Sweet Tomatoes reopened in Tucson, Arizona, for the first time since filing for bankruptcy during the pandemic
The restaurant chain, beloved by foodies for its all-you-can-eat buffets, operated at the location for 24 years before filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
It made a name for itself with its salads, but proved popular with families as its extensive range of buffet meals had something to offer even the fussiest child.
The brand was bought months later by Sahara Capital Partners for $775,000, but current COO Mike Malone said it was former customers who were “enthusiastic fans” who fueled the comeback.
‘We’re bringing back all the favorites. We want to open with what people are used to,” he told Restaurant Business Magazine.
“We are happy to return,” he added.
He said there were plans to expand to other locations, along with a new delivery service.
And the return can’t come soon enough according to fans who envy Arizonan diners.
“Omg please come back to South Florida too,” one wrote. ‘My favorite place!’
‘Nobody knows what place I’m talking about when I say this restaurant!’ added another. ‘One of my ultimate favorites ever, I’m so mad they closed my location.’
Fans on social media called for the chain to reopen branches near them
“I could cry,” a third added. ‘I hope they open again near me! It was my grandfather’s favorite.’
“Literally thinking about flying.” wrote another.
Red Lobster abruptly closed 93 of its more than 700 restaurants in Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 13, a few days earlier.
Court documents show there are another 135 restaurants whose bosses say they will continue to lose money if leases remain as they are.
Rubio’s Coastal Grill closed 48 of its Mexican restaurants in California in late May, blaming “the rising cost of doing business in the state.”
Applebees closed 46 outlets last year and has announced plans for at least 25 more this year.
And Denny’s expects to follow up the closure of 57 restaurants with an additional 20 restaurants this year.
But Sweet Tomato’s announcement of their return on Instagram sparked new excitement among devotees.
“Okay, seriously, what’s stopping you guys from reopening in San Diego, California?” Maya Chaoui asked. ‘Is it money? It’s money, right? I’ll give you money lol.’
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t open restaurants in Florida, where I’ve lived here before, and not visit many,” wrote Edna Reyes of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Some even thought about it
“Or in Georgia, where I had no choice to go. I just ask you to make one here too. Thank you.’
“One of my favorite hobbies is reading all the desperate comments begging for a location near them,” regieredreader wrote.
“My other favorite hobby is one of those comments: Oregon loves and misses you!”
There may be more good news for food fans, with reports that Steak and Ale plans to open a Minnesota location this summer for the first time since the chain went bankrupt in 2008.