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In a surprising turn of events, Hart House, the plant-based fast food chain co-founded by comedian Kevin Hart in 2022, has announced the abrupt closure of all its locations just two years after its grand opening. This unexpected development has left fans, employees, and industry observers stunned.
Hart House burst onto the fast food scene in August 2022, positioning itself as a healthier, plant-based alternative to traditional fast food chains. The concept seemed promising, leveraging Kevin Hart’s star power and the growing trend towards plant-based eating. And now the chain’s rapid expansion appears to have come to a sudden halt.
The news was shared on Instagram this past Wednesday:
“A Hartfelt goodbye for now as we start a new chapter. Thank you. To our team, guests, and community, who helped make the change we all craved.”
Hart House’s CEO Andy Hooper confirmed in a statement, thanking supporters and their team: “The response to the product has been incredible, and we thank our committed team, our customers, and our community partners for helping make the change we all craved, and for their unwavering support of Hart House
The sudden closure has left employees facing unexpected job losses. It’s unclear at this time what, if any, provisions have been made for affected staff.
Customers who had embraced Hart House’s menu of plant-based burgers, chicken sandwiches, and milkshakes are now left without access to these products.
Hart had been vocal about the plant-based chain, pushing forward with events like in June 2023 when he launched a scavenger hunt and block party in Los Angeles to promote Hart House.
As of now, Kevin Hart has not made a public statement regarding the closure of Hart House. The comedian, known for his entrepreneurial ventures outside of entertainment, had been a vocal advocate for the brand since its inception.
It doesn’t come as a complete surprise, though, because last summer, a Gallup Survey found that Americans are not warming up to plant-based food, and that vegans were also on the decline. In fact, the number of Americans that are vegan has hit a ten-year low according to the study’s results.
Even fast food chains like McDonald’s have given up on plant-based offerings. The McPlant was pulled in the US due to poor sales. And multiple other chains try a plant-based item out only for customers to never hear about it again.
The closure of Hart House raises questions about the sustainability of celebrity-backed restaurant chains and the challenges facing the plant-based fast food sector. It may prompt other players in the industry to reassess their expansion strategies and business models.
