Comedian Kevin Hart has closed his Hart House chain in Los Angeles just two years and three weeks after opening the first of his four locations.
No reason was given for the vegan brand’s sudden closure, but the Hart House Instagram account posted a farewell message to customers, saying, “To our team, guests and community who helped us make the change we all longed for. We say goodbye to ‘Heartfeldt’ as we begin a new chapter.”
The vegan quick-service chain offered a diverse and affordable menu that included vegan burgers, chicken and sandwiches, plant-based milkshakes, and crispy chicken and nuggets with dipping options like creamy ranch, barbecue, and buffalo sauce. Additionally, the menu also featured salads, french fries, tots, iced tea, limeade, and milkshakes made from a blend of oats and soy, “a closer-to-the-real-thing item.”
Harthouse CEO Andy Hooper confirmed the news: Eater Los AngelesHowever, the reason behind the chain’s closure remains unclear.
Kevin Hart launched the business in 2022, two years after publicly announcing he was cutting out red meat and seafood and adopting a plant-based diet after a serious accident. “I founded Hart House to create extraordinary experiences that combine the joy of shared food with the power of purpose,” he wrote on the restaurant’s website.
Turbulent times
Hart House’s closure comes at a tumultuous time for plant-based restaurants in Southern California and across the United States.
In Los Angeles, several plant-based restaurants have closed this year alone, including Vegan Drip Burger, Shozin’, Nick’s on Beverly, Flor Vegan, Jewel, Matthew Kenney’s VEG’D, and Plant Food & Wine. Shake Shack closed five locations in the Los Angeles area earlier this month.
This is part of a broader trend: At least 65 well-known restaurants are set to close in 2023, according to the Los Angeles Times. High inflation is putting pressure on consumers’ wallets, leading them to spend less on dining out.
Plant-based proteins in the US also suffer from a large price gap, which is exacerbated by the US’s cost of living crisis. Despite meat prices rising faster than plant-based alternatives, the latter are still 38% more expensive. This has prompted previously meat-free restaurants, such as Sage, Hot Tan Pizza, Elf Cafe, Burger Road, and Margo’s in Los Angeles, to add meat to their menus.
However, in California, the number of fast food jobs is Best everThis is despite the legal minimum wage being raised from $15.50 to $20 in April.
