Full Breakdown
Souplantation Set to Reopen in Fountain Valley in 2027
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The all-you-can-eat buffet chain Souplantation, operating under the Sweet Tomatoes brand outside Southern California, announced that it will reopen a restaurant in Fountain Valley, Orange County, in 2027. The site will occupy the former Souplantation address at 11179 Talbert Avenue and is planned to span roughly 7,800 square feet. The company says the revived outlet will serve the same menu items that longtime patrons remember, including Wonton Happiness Salad, Joan’s Broccoli Madness, Big Chunk Chicken Noodle Soup, focaccia bread, blueberry muffins and other staples.
Background & Context
Souplantation debuted in San Diego in 1978 and expanded to 97 locations nationwide, with 44 sites in California. The chain’s sister brand Sweet Tomatoes used the same recipes and concept in markets outside the state. In 2016 the parent company, Garden Fresh Restaurants, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was later sold to private-equity firm Perpetual Capital Partners. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of all buffets in 2020, prompting a second bankruptcy filing and the permanent shuttering of every location.
Ownership Changes and Prior Revivals
After the 2020 shutdown, the brand was acquired by a new operating company, ST Three LLC, led by former Garden Fresh vice president of operations Mike Malone. Under this ownership, Sweet Tomatoes reopened a location in Tucson, Arizona, in 2024 and added a Florida outlet the same year. The Fountain Valley site will be the first Souplantation location to return to California since the pandemic-induced closures.
Planned Location and Offerings
The upcoming Fountain Valley restaurant will occupy the former Souplantation space that has remained vacant since the pandemic. While the exact opening date within 2027 has not been disclosed, the company confirmed that the menu will retain the original recipes, ensuring continuity for returning guests. The venue’s size of approximately 7,800 sq ft will accommodate the chain’s self-serve buffet layout.
Official Statements & Responses
She also confirmed that the Fountain Valley location will operate under the Souplantation name, with the same team, recipes, and concept as Sweet Tomatoes. The announcement was made via an Instagram post, which generated thousands of comments from fans expressing excitement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We want to get it right, so we move a little slower but very deliberately,” — Marlee Lossing, director of corporate affairs with Sweet Tomatoes
- “Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes are such beloved brands, and we’re incredibly excited to have the opportunity to bring this experience back to so many loyal guests in California,” — Marlee Lossing, director of corporate affairs with Sweet Tomatoes
Future Expansion Outlook
Lossing indicated that the Fountain Valley outlet could be the first of multiple new or returning Souplantation sites in California, though no additional locations have been formally announced.