Comedy trailblazer Kevin Hart’s fast-food endeavor dedicated to plant-based cuisine has unfortunately ceased operations in the Los Angeles precinct. A mere two years post-launch, all its outlets have shut their doors indefinitely. Communication on this came in the form of an Instagram post from Hart House, the humorist’s vegan eatery chain, signaling the beginning of an unexpected ‘new chapter’, as reported by the New York Post.
The social media proclamation read, ‘A heartfelt goodbye for now as we start a new chapter.’ It expressed gratitude to their staff, customers, and community, who were instrumental in creating the change that they aspired for. This change was also intertwined with the culinary preferences of the comedian himself, as Hart had adopted a vegan lifestyle.
Andy Hooper, CEO of Hart House, confirmed these developments in a statement circulated to Eater, a trusted guide to dining in Los Angeles. Hooper extended his thanks to their dedicated workforce, their clientele, and their community supporters for dreaming and achieving the change they all yearned for.
The reason for the abrupt dissolution of the Hart House restaurants was noticeably absent from the message. The September 10 closure of their four venues around the city was unexpected and came without a prior announcement.
The fast-food enterprise had its roots in 2020 when Kevin Hart, the star of ‘Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle,’ publicly disclosed his plans to venture into the plant-based culinary scene. He was inspired by his personal switch to veganism, as per the Post’s announcement.
Fast-forward to two years later, Hart House’s doors swung open with Hooper at the helm. It aimed to usher in diverse vegan options at a time when plant-based choices were noticeably missing from the fast-food panorama, as emphasized by the Hollywood Reporter.
Referring back to Hart’s initial vision, he envisioned Hart House as an accessible alternative planted squarely amidst big-name fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and Burger King. Hart believed it could change minds, sway choices and perhaps get people to say, ‘I’m going to go plant-based today.’
Their menu boasted entirely plant-based, meatless ‘100%’ items. A wide array of choices included classic fast-food favorites such as burgers, twists on ‘chicken’ sandwiches, nuggets, salads, besides tater tots, milkshakes, and more, the Hollywood Reporter mentioned.
Hart House’s ambition to position itself as the future of quick-service restaurants was rather clear. They chose strategic locations side by side with the current fast-food titans. As Hooper revealed to Eater after launching their fourth outlet in 2023, they were purposefully situated at the crossroads of Sunset and Highland.
This location is significant as it was located just opposite Hollywood High School. It was interestingly also immediately next to a Chick-fil-A, a few hundred yards from an In-N-Out, and inside a structure that previously housed a McDonald’s. Hooper considered it highly symbolic of their aspiration to be the blueprint of future fast service eateries.
However, the sudden closure of Hart House’s locations are not an isolated occurrence. The dining industry in Los Angeles has been experiencing a few other shutdowns of late. This unfavorable trend among the city’s food establishments is rather reflective of the challenges of the current dining landscape.
Just last month, Shake Shack, a well-liked burger joint in the region, disclosed plans to conclude operations at five of their Southern Californian establishments by September’s end. This announcement has stirred the Los Angeles community, already grappling with the closure of other dining outlets.
The state of California, amid these closures, has approved a substantial hike in the minimum wage to $20. The Post pointed out this move, which could contribute to operational difficulties for many businesses.
This announcement could be timely amid the global pivot towards healthier consumption habits. Yet, the sudden closure of Hart House, with its growing popularity and genuine footsteps in bridging fast-food culture with plant-based nutrition appears to be a lamentable episode in Los Angeles’s dining narrative.
The onset of a ‘new chapter’ for Hart House remains full of curiosity and speculation. The future, whether it includes re-opening or innovating a fresh dining venture, remains cogitative. Nevertheless, the abrupt end to Hart House’s journey highlights the dynamic and challenging nature of the restaurant industry.
As with many entrepreneurial ventures, Hart’s plant-based fast-food dream is in a state of transition. The landscape remains keenly watched for what the new chapter holds, serving as a poignant reminder that even in the world of fast food, change is a constant and navigating it can be a formidable task.