A California plant-based fast-food chain co-founded by Kevin Hart abruptly closed all of its locations just two years after its launch.

Hart House shut down all four of its Los Angeles area locations this week.

“To our team, guests, and community, who helped make the change we all craved. A Hartfelt goodbye for now as we start a new chapter,” the company announced on Instagram.

Kevin Hart’s vegan quick-service chain Hart House shutters all locations. All four locations in Southern California abruptly closed on Sept. 10 after just two years in business https://t.co/6y8O7GhXuw pic.twitter.com/mpHxZruwyg

— Restaurant News (@NRNonline) September 12, 2024

Hart said the idea behind the restaurant chain came after he switched to a primarily plant-based diet.

Hart House CEO Andy Hooper confirmed the news to Eater.

“The response to the product has been incredible, and we thank our committed team, our customers, and our community partners for helping make the change we all craved, and for their unwavering support of Hart House,” he told the outlet in a statement.

Hart House abruptly calls it quits after only two years on the scene https://t.co/aNmCuz4EbI

— Eater LA (@eaterla) September 11, 2024

Per Eater:

In 2020, Hart announced that he adopted a mostly plant-based diet and began working with Hooper to develop a fast-food brand selling chicken sandwiches, nuggets, and burgers for under $8 and combo meals for less than $15. Hart House avoided using Beyond and Impossible products by developing its line of proprietary patties.

Hart House opened its first location in August 2022 in Westchester, a block from Los Angeles International Airport’s busy In-N-Out Burger. The second location in Monrovia debuted in November 2022, while University Park opened in June 2023.

The flagship Hart House location came online in May 2023 on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue featuring a drive-thru intended to be replicated for future stores. “Opening on the corner of Sunset and Highland, across the street from Hollywood High School, adjacent to a Chick-fil-A, a couple 100 yards from an In-N-Out, [and inside] a former McDonald’s building is about as emblematic as you can get of our aspiration to be the future of quick-service restaurants,” Hooper told Eater in 2023.

Kevin Hart’s Ambitious Vegan Fast-Food Chain Suddenly Closed All Locations Overnight in California

by Mona Holmes @ https://t.co/om9U2K8KE0
Sep 11, 2024, 1:45pm PDT

Southern California plant-based fast-food chain Hart House closed all four locations on September 10, 2024.… pic.twitter.com/NfzRIk2WUx

— SubX.News (@SubxNews) September 13, 2024

🇺🇸KEVIN HART'S PLANT-BASED EMPIRE BITES THE DUST

His plant-based fast-food chain, Hart House, has closed all its locations just two years after launching.

CEO Andy Hooper confirmed the abrupt closure of the 4 Los Angeles area restaurants without offering a reason.

In an… pic.twitter.com/iTMhhEjqKN

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 13, 2024

Daily Mail reports:

Hooper aimed to establish a ‘sustainable employment experience’ at Hart House – with higher wages and widespread benefits to encourage staff to stay.

Employees received healthcare, a lifestyle spending account, and an interest-earning savings account that the company paid into.

It comes amid a slew of restaurant closures across the US, as companies struggle with increased costs for food and labor.