Souplantation Confirms 2027 Fountain Valley Reopening After Six-Year Hiatus
Souplantation, the all-you-can-eat soup and salad buffet chain, has confirmed it will reopen its first California location in 2027. The chain, which closed all 97 restaurants in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions on self-service dining, will return to its former site in Fountain Valley, Orange County. The company, now operating under the name Sweet Tomatoes in other states, promises to restore original recipes and monthly specials. While only one California location is currently announced, the company is evaluating other markets for future expansion.
Key points
- Souplantation will reopen in Fountain Valley, California, in 2027 at 11179 Talbert Avenue.
- The chain closed all 97 locations in 2020, including 44 in California, citing pandemic health risks to buffet-style dining.
- The company, now owned by ST Three LLC, has already reopened locations in Tucson, Arizona, and Fort Myers, Florida.
- Corporate affairs director Marlee Lossing confirmed that all original recipes, including Tuna Tarragon and Big Chunk Chicken Noodle Soup, will be restored.
- The company is evaluating other California markets for potential future openings, though only Fountain Valley is confirmed for 2027.
Background
Souplantation originated in San Diego in 1978 and became a cultural staple in Southern California before expanding nationally under the Sweet Tomatoes brand. The chain faced financial difficulties, filing for bankruptcy in 2016 and again in 2020. The 2020 closure was accelerated by FDA guidelines that flagged self-serve restaurants as health risks during the pandemic. In the interim, a dupe called Soup 'n Fresh opened in Rancho Cucamonga in 2024, capitalizing on the nostalgia for the brand. Our archive confirms that the company had already announced this 2027 return in early October, with the current news cycle solidifying the details of the Fountain Valley location.
How outlets are covering it
Eater LA and the Los Angeles Times both confirm the 2027 reopening in Fountain Valley, but the LA Times provides more detail on the corporate structure, noting the acquisition by ST Three LLC and the involvement of former Garden Fresh Restaurants executive Mike Malone. USA Today emphasizes the emotional response from fans, highlighting social media comments where users expressed deep nostalgia and willingness to travel to Arizona for the brand. All three sources agree that the company is evaluating other markets but has only confirmed the single California location for now. Eater LA notes the presence of the dupe Soup 'n Fresh, while the LA Times highlights the specific recipes that will be restored, such as Wonton Happiness Salad and Joan's Broccoli Madness.
Why it matters
The return of Souplantation signals a shift in the post-pandemic restaurant landscape, where self-serve buffet models are being reconsidered. It also reflects the enduring cultural impact of the brand in Southern California, where its closure in 2020 was met with significant public mourning. The reopening may also influence the local restaurant market, potentially affecting competitors and the viability of similar buffet concepts.
What to watch
The company is expected to open the Fountain Valley location in 2027, though no specific date has been announced. The company is evaluating other California markets for future expansion, which could lead to additional openings in the state. The success of the Fountain Valley location may also influence the company's decision to reopen other former locations or expand into new markets.
- Souplantation Is Coming Back to Southern California in 2027 Eater Los Angeles
- Souplantation will return to Orange County in 2027. ‘There is a god’ Los Angeles Times
- Souplantation confirms California comeback. Here's where. SFGATE
- Sweet Tomatoes to open second location 9News
- Beloved buffet chain is finally reopening in California. Here's where USA Today
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Eater Los Angeles