Kevin Hart’s “Hart House” Closes All Locations Overnight

Southern California’s plant-based fast-food chain, Hart House, has officially closed all four of its locations as of September 10, 2024. Launched in 2022, the chain was spearheaded by actor and comedian Kevin Hart, who promoted its mission to encourage a vegan lifestyle. Hart House CEO Andy Hooper confirmed the closure, expressing gratitude to the dedicated team, loyal customers, and community partners who supported the venture.

The idea for Hart House emerged in 2020 after Hart announced his shift to a mostly plant-based diet. Collaborating with Hooper, they aimed to develop a fast-food brand offering vegan options like chicken sandwiches, nuggets, and burgers, all priced affordably. Unlike many other plant-based fast-food brands, Hart House avoided using Beyond and Impossible products, creating its own line of unique patties.

The first Hart House location opened in Westchester in August 2022, near Los Angeles International Airport. Over the next year, locations in Monrovia, University Park, and a flagship store on Hollywood Boulevard followed. The flagship location, which opened in May 2023, was particularly notable for its drive-thru and proximity to competitors like Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out Burger.

Despite a promising start, Hart House faced significant industry challenges. The lingering effects of the pandemic, rising operational costs, and a slowing local entertainment industry all contributed to its difficulties. The closure of Hart House coincides with a similar downsizing by East Coast chain Shake Shack, which closed five Los Angeles-area stores in early September 2024. Nonetheless, California’s fast-food job market continues to grow, even as the state increased its minimum wage to $20 an hour in April 2024.

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