Souplantation is coming back. The salad-buffet chain that closed all of its restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic plans to reopen in California in 2027, with its first location in Fountain Valley in Orange County. For millions of Southern Californians who grew up on its salad bar, muffins and soups, it is the comeback they have asked for since 2020.
Quick facts
- What: Souplantation (called Sweet Tomatoes outside California) is returning to California.
- Where: Fountain Valley, Orange County, at its former site on Talbert Avenue near Newhope Street.
- When: 2027. No exact opening date has been announced.
- How many: Only one California location has been announced so far.
- Already open: Sweet Tomatoes restaurants in Tucson, Arizona, and Fort Myers, Florida.
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How the comeback was announced
On Oct. 5, Sweet Tomatoes posted a teaser on Instagram: a palm-tree image with a “Welcome to California” sign and the caption “Stay tuned…” Within days the company confirmed it plans one California restaurant in 2027. Reports from Fox LA and the Los Angeles Times name the old Fountain Valley site on Talbert Avenue, a building of about 7,800 square feet.
A company representative said that “for now,” only one location has been announced. Menus, hours and a construction timeline have not been released.
Why Souplantation closed in 2020
Souplantation opened in San Diego in 1978 and grew to 97 restaurants, most of them in California. Its all-you-can-eat, self-serve model was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, when health rules shut down buffets and salad bars. In May 2020 the chain permanently closed every location, and many fans assumed it was gone for good.
The Sweet Tomatoes revival so far
The brand has been rebuilding outside California first. Under the Sweet Tomatoes name it now runs restaurants in Tucson, Arizona, and Fort Myers, Florida. Those openings drew long lines, which helped make the case for a return to the brand’s home state.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1978 | First Souplantation opens in San Diego |
| 2019 | Chain reaches about 97 locations |
| May 2020 | All restaurants close permanently during the pandemic |
| Recent years | Sweet Tomatoes reopens in Tucson, AZ, and Fort Myers, FL |
| Oct. 2026 | California return announced; Fountain Valley named |
| 2027 | Planned opening of the first new California Souplantation |
Will Souplantation come back to San Diego or Los Angeles?
Not yet announced. San Diego, where the chain was born, has no confirmed location, and neither does Los Angeles County. Fans can follow Sweet Tomatoes’ social media for updates, since the company used Instagram for its first announcement.
Restaurant chains are making very different bets right now: some are coming back, while others are closing stores. Read our report on Crumbl Cookies closures and Starbucks’ smaller-store test.
Frequently asked questions
Is Souplantation coming back?
Yes. The company plans to reopen one Souplantation in Fountain Valley, California, in 2027.
When will the new Souplantation open?
Sometime in 2027. No exact date has been announced.
Where is the new Souplantation?
At its former Fountain Valley site on Talbert Avenue near Newhope Street in Orange County.
Are Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes the same?
Yes. It was the same chain: Souplantation in California and Sweet Tomatoes in other states.
