Dive Brief:
- Souplantation sister brand Sweet Tomatoes is planning to return to California with a new location expected to open in Fountain Valley, the company said on an Instagram post Wednesday.
- Media reports estimate that the restaurant will open in 2027.
- Garden Fresh Restaurants, the former owner of Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and closed its 97 restaurants after losing over $1 million per week amid dining room closures.
Dive Insight:
Sweet Tomatoes has been slowly coming back since 2024, and California has long been on the company’s radar, Marlee Lossing, director of corporate affairs at Sweet Tomatoes, wrote in an email to Restaurant Dive.
The company wants to make sure that each location will be successful so it has been very discerning with site selection, Lossing said. The location in Fountain Valley cropped up and the company determined that site was ideal.
The company currently has two Sweet Tomatoes locations, one in Tucson, Arizona, and another in Fort Myers, Florida, according to its website.
“We’re hoping to bring Sweet Tomatoes back to as many loyal fans as possible,” the company said on its website. “All markets are being considered for future expansion. Keep an eye on our social media as that’s where all our updates will be posted.”
While companies that file for Chapter 7 cease to exist, brands can come back with a different legal entity. In its frequently asked questions about redeeming gift cards prior to 2024, Sweet Tomatoes confirmed that it is no longer associated with prior ownership.
This isn’t the first time a restaurant has returned from the dead. Chi Chi’s made a comeback last year, opening its first location in Minnesota after 20 years, according to Today. The brand was able to return after Hormel, which owns the Chi Chi’s trademark, came to an agreement with Michael McDermott, the son of the restaurant’s founder, to allow him to use the name on new restaurants.
The return of Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation also reiterates the ongoing trend and popularity of buffet-style restaurants. Searches for “all you can eat buffet near me” jumped 252% last year, according to Yelp’s 2026 Food & Drinks Trend Report.
Buffets also hit upon a growing move toward affordable dining options. Golden Corral has been using its value proposition and various promotions to continue to drive frequency at its buffet restaurants, according to FSR Magazine.
