California burger chain founded by Kevin Hart abruptly closes ALL locations
Hart House, the vegan fast food chain co-founded by comedian Kevin Hart, has closed all of its locations, just two years after opening.
The four Southern California locations closed their doors for the final time on Tuesday, according to CEO Andy Hooper, as reported by Eat LA.
On Instagram, Hart House posted a farewell message: “Thank you. A fond farewell for now as we begin a new chapter.”
It’s the latest in a long line of restaurant chains to struggle this year. BurgerFi announced yesterday that it had filed for bankruptcy, one of more than a dozen big names to do so this year. The most notable was Red Lobster after its $20 endless shrimp deal cost it millions of dollars.
It wasn’t until January that Hart House announced plans to expand to four to six additional locations and explore markets in Washington DC and Atlanta.
Hart House has since closed. It was launched in 2022 following Kevin Hart’s public commitment to a primarily plant-based diet in 2020
The chain was owned about 50 percent by Hart and was led by Hooper, the former president of &Pizza.
Hart House opened in 2022, during a boom in plant-based burger offerings in Los Angeles. The company specializes in vegan “burg’rs,” “chick’n” sandwiches, shakes and tots.
Its launch that year followed Hart’s public commitment to adopt a primarily plant-based diet in 2020.
The idea was to offer a traditional fast food experience, but without animal products. The chain also wanted to offer good value for money – burgers cost less than $8, with combo meals under $15.
In May 2023, a flagship location opened at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, marking the chain’s first location to feature a drive-thru.
Hooper described the Hollywood location at the time as symbolic of the brand’s aspirations: “Opening on the corner of Sunset and Highland, across from Hollywood High School, next to a Chick-fil-A and just feet from an In-N-Out, [inside] ‘A former McDonald’s building is just about the most symbolic example of our ambition to become the future of fast food restaurants.’
Hooper wanted to create a ‘sustainable employment experience’ at Hart House, with higher wages and comprehensive benefits to encourage staff to stay.
Employees were given health insurance, a lifestyle account, and an interest-earning savings account into which the company deposited money.
In May 2023, a flagship location opened at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, the chain’s first with a drive-thru
Hart House launched in 2022 amid a surge in plant-based burger options in Los Angeles, specializing in vegan “burg’rs,” “chick’n” sandwiches, shakes and tots
The move follows a series of restaurant closures across the US as businesses grapple with rising food and labor costs.
The company with the largest bankruptcy filing was Red Lobster, after its $20 endless shrimp deal cost it millions of dollars.
Popular Italian restaurant Buca di Beppo filed for bankruptcy in August, just days after it abruptly closed 13 underperforming locations.
World of Beer Bar & Kitchen was named one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the US in 2013.
In August, the company also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, saying it still owed suppliers about $50 million.
National coffee and luxury supermarket chain Foxtrot announced in early April that it would be closing all of its stores with immediate effect, leaving staff and customers stunned.
Businesses are struggling with declining sales as Americans eat out less after two years of steep price increases.