Southern California’s plant-based fast-food chain, Hart House, co-founded by actor-comedian Kevin Hart, abruptly closed all four locations on September 10, just two years after its debut. Hart House CEO Andy Hooper confirmed the closures, stating, “The response to the product has been incredible, and we thank our committed team, customers, and community partners for their unwavering support.”parThe chain, which aimed to promote a vegan lifestyle, featured proprietary plant-based burgers, chicken sandwiches, and nuggets. Its flagship store opened in 2023 at a high-traffic Hollywood location near competitors like In-N-Out and Chick-fil-A.

The closures come amidst rising operational costs and challenges in the restaurant industry, similar to Shake Shack, which also closed five LA-area stores around the same time. Despite setbacks in the sector, California has seen significant growth in fast-food employment, despite the minimum wage increase to $20 an hour in April 2024.