Photo Credit: Getty Images
Comedian and actor Kevin Hart’s venture into the plant-based fast food industry, Hart House, has abruptly closed all four of its locations. The closures, which occurred on September 10, 2024, marked the end of Hart’s ambitious effort to redefine fast food with vegan offerings just two years after the chain’s launch.
Hart House, co-founded by Kevin Hart, initially opened in 2022 with the goal of offering affordable, plant-based alternatives to traditional fast food. The restaurants featured proprietary plant-based “burg’rs” and “chick’n” sandwiches, along with shakes and tots, setting themselves apart by avoiding products from popular vegan brands like Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods. Despite a promising start and enthusiastic reception, the entire chain—which included locations in Westchester, Monrovia, University Park, and Hollywood—has been permanently shuttered.
In a statement issued by Hart House CEO Andy Hooper, he expressed gratitude to their customers, team members, and community partners for their support. He acknowledged the enthusiasm for the brand but did not provide any specific reason for the closure. The restaurant chain shared a final message on Instagram, calling it a “Hartfelt goodbye” and hinting at a potential new chapter in the future.
One of the key selling points of Hart House was its commitment to healthier, more sustainable food options. Hart emphasized this when the chain was launched, noting that the offerings were free from preservatives, artificial colors, hormones, and other additives. The concept aligned with Hart’s “Health is Wealth” mantra, which he often promoted publicly as part of his flexitarian lifestyle.
Hart House also aimed to revolutionize the employment experience in the fast-food sector, offering higher wages and benefits to its employees in an effort to create a more sustainable workforce model. These benefits included healthcare coverage and savings accounts for hourly workers, setting a standard rarely seen in the industry.
Despite these progressive initiatives, the broader plant-based fast food sector has faced challenges, with several brands experiencing slowed growth. Hart House’s closure follows a trend of other plant-based chains, like Veggie Grill and Honeybee Burger, scaling back their operations in recent years due to market shifts and economic factors.
The abrupt nature of the closure has left fans of the brand wondering what’s next for Hart House, with speculation that the company may pivot toward other ventures or consumer products in the future.
