Souplantation to Reopen in Fountain Valley in 2027

Key points

• Souplantation will reopen its former Fountain Valley, Orange County, location in 2027.
• The chain closed all 97 restaurants in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions on self-service dining.
• The new location will preserve the original all-you-can-eat format and recipes.
• The company is currently operating two locations in Arizona and Florida under the Sweet Tomatoes brand.
• No plans for a San Diego reopening have been announced, though the company is exploring other markets.

Background

Souplantation was founded in San Diego in 1978 and grew into a major buffet chain across California and other states. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2016 and again in 2020, leading to the closure of all 97 locations. Since then, the brand has been acquired by ST Three LLC, which revived the Sweet Tomatoes name in Arizona and Florida in 2024. The Fountain Valley reopening is the first California return since the 2020 closures.

How outlets are covering it

NBC 7 San Diego and the Los Angeles Times both confirm the 2027 reopening in Fountain Valley, emphasizing the preservation of the original menu and format. The Orange County Register highlights the social media announcement and the 'slight facelift' in decor while maintaining the core concept. All sources agree that the company is being selective with new locations, with NBC 7 noting that some preferred properties were demolished or leased to competitors. The Los Angeles Times adds that the company is considering expansion in other markets but has not confirmed additional sites. No source reports on a San Diego reopening, though NBC 7 notes that the company has not ruled out future expansion in California.

Why it matters

The reopening of Souplantation in Fountain Valley marks a significant return for a beloved California restaurant chain that closed all locations in 2020. It signals a potential revival of the all-you-can-eat buffet model in the post-pandemic era and may pave the way for further expansion in California and other markets. The move also addresses the long-standing demand from fans who have been waiting for the chain's return since 2020.

What to watch

The company is expected to announce an exact opening date for the Fountain Valley location in 2027. It is also evaluating other markets for potential future sites, though no additional locations have been confirmed. The company may consider expanding to other California cities, including San Diego, but has not made any commitments.