Actor and comedian Kevin Hart's foray into fast food was cut short when his plant-based restaurant chain Hart House closed just two years after its inception.
The first location of this vegan fast-casual restaurant opened near Los Angeles International Airport in August 2022. The idea for the restaurants came after Hart shared publicly I had switched to a plant-based diet in 2020.
“I founded Hart House to create a fine dining experience that combines the joy of gathering around food with the power of purpose,” Hart wrote on the company’s website.
The chain's second location opened a few months after the first in Monrovia, followed by its flagship drive-thru at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue and a fourth restaurant in University Park.
The menu included plant-based chicken sandwiches and burgers, soy and oat smoothies, plus fries, nuggets and dips.
All four locations closed abruptly on September 10. The reason remains unclear.
“To our team, guests and community who helped bring about the change we all longed for, goodbye Hartfelt for now,” read a post on the company’s Instagram page.
Hart House CEO Andy Hooper did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hart, a stand-up comedian and major box-office draw, has not publicly commented on the closures or offered details about next steps.
Hart's vegan concept isn't the first to falter amid tough economic conditions. East Coast burger chain Shake Shack recently closed five locations in Los Angeles due to underperformance.
High inflation rates have led many consumers to cut back on discretionary spending such as eating out, experts say, while restaurants are also facing tight margins and high labor costs.
Hart House's flagship restaurant was meant to be a model for future locations, Eater Los Angeles reportedand was located in Hollywood in a former McDonald's building, near a Chick-fil-A and an In-N-Out Burger.
Hart said when the restaurants opened, their goal was to create a healthy and affordable option within the Los Angeles fast-food scene. While there were other plant-based fast-casual food competitors, he said Hart House offered a lower price point for high-quality food.
Along with Hooper, Hart teamed up with investor Michael Rubin and chef Mike Salem to open his own line of vegan burgers. Salem was previously the head of culinary innovation at Burger King, where he helped launch the Impossible Whopper.
As of Friday, Hart House’s website was still up and made no reference to its demise. “Hart House is committed to the future of food and our overall well-being,” it said. “Unlike typical fast food, our ingredients are plant-based and real.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
