Many of us think of Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes as the place to go to when we want to be "healthy" because they have salad, soup, and we can still indulge with pizza, pasta, and desserts. The coronavirus pandemic hit this restaurant hard because technically they're a "buffet." Unfortunately, the chain has decided to permanently shut down all 97 locations of Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes and layoff all of their employees. Garden Fresh Restaurants CEO John Haywood told the San Diego Union-Tribune,
“The FDA had previously put out recommendations that included discontinuing self-serve stations, like self-serve beverages in fast food, but they specifically talked about salad bars and buffets. The regulations are understandable, but unfortunately, it makes it very difficult to reopen. And I’m not sure the health departments are ever going to allow it."
The company has spent the last eight weeks exploring every possible option to avoid the closure, but it's just inevitable.
“Our problem is this: we’re a buffet concept. I don't see a path to reopening the restaurant chain after Georgia, one of the first states to reopen businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic was met with criticism for easing restrictions on dine-in services.
It's officially the end of an era! How do you feel about this news?
Photo Credit: John Pearson on Wikimedia Commons