Did Kevin Hart Close His Restaurants in Los Angeles?

Kevin Hart’s plant-based restaurant venture, Hart House, has officially closed all of its four locations. This decision comes just two years after the chain first opened its doors in 2022, with the goal of offering affordable and delicious vegan comfort foods to health-minded consumers.

The abrupt closure of these venues fueled speculation on social media regarding the reasons behind this move. On September 10, 2024, Hart House announced it was halting operations at all sites, including its flagship location at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

In a statement provided to Eater Los Angeles on September 11, CEO Andy Hooper expressed heartfelt thanks to the community, employees, and partners for their ongoing support.

“The reaction to our menu has been extraordinary, and we are grateful to our dedicated team, our patrons, and our community collaborators for fostering the change we envisioned, along with their steadfast support of Hart House,” shared Andy Hooper.

However, he did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the chain’s shutdown. In an Instagram post caption from September 11, Hart House expressed,

“Thank you. 💚 To our team, guests, and community, who helped facilitate the change we sought. This is a heartfelt goodbye for now as we embark on a new chapter.”

The post hinted at a future endeavor, but details remain undisclosed.

Did Reddit users speculate about cannibalism related to Hart House?

As news broke about the unexpected closure of Kevin Hart’s vegan restaurant, Hart House, a rumor emerged from a September 25 post on Reddit speculating about a bizarre connection between the restaurants and cannibalism. This theory appeared to be influenced by dark themes in popular television shows featuring gruesome dining scenarios.

The discussion took place on a subreddit focused on the series Atlanta, which featured a disturbing scene in its final episode of season three, titled “Tarrare,”where affluent individuals partook in such activities. This episode first aired on May 19, 2022. Another contributor to the thread referenced a similar sequence from a different series.

Nevertheless, this assertion is purely speculative, as Hart House is recognized for its menu of entirely plant-based, vegan dishes. The chain sought to spark a fast-food transformation with its affordable and nutritious offerings but apparently encountered significant challenges along the way. Neither Kevin Hart nor CEO Andy Hooper has provided a specific explanation for the closure of the restaurants.

The evolution of Hart House

Hart House, the vegan fast-food chain founded by Kevin Hart, opened its first outlet near Los Angeles International Airport in August 2022. This initiative was part of Hart’s transition to a primarily plant-based diet two years earlier. With aspirations to expand to 100 locations over five years, Hart envisioned a brand that blended his dedication to a healthier lifestyle with his entrepreneurial vision.

The initial menu featured plant-based “chick’n”sandwiches and “burg’rs,”targeting a burgeoning audience of health-conscious individuals in search of tasty yet affordable alternatives to conventional fast food.

At the launch, Hart emphasized, “As someone who has been championing ‘Health is Wealth,’ creating Hart House felt like a natural progression of my flexitarian journey and my business landscape.”

The chain subsequently opened three additional locations in the greater Los Angeles area, including a signature drive-through at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Despite these efforts, increasingly tough economic conditions ultimately led to the chain’s closure.

Recently, Kevin Hart starred in the film Lift, which premiered on Netflix on January 12, 2024.

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