In a swift and unceremonious turn of events, comedian Kevin Hart’s ambitious venture into the plant-based fast-food industry has come to a screeching halt. Just two years after launching his much-hyped “Hart House” restaurant chain, all four Los Angeles-area locations have abruptly closed their doors, leaving many wondering if the closure is yet another casualty of California’s hostile business environment.
Despite praise for the food and the mission behind the venture, Hart House’s CEO, Andy Hooper, confirmed the sudden shutdown, offering little explanation for the decision. “The response to the product has been incredible,” Hooper told Eater, acknowledging the support from customers and the community without revealing the real reason behind the closure.
Hart himself, known for his comedy in blockbusters like *Jumanji* and *Ride Along*, had touted Hart House as a passion project after transitioning to a primarily plant-based diet. The chain aimed to revolutionize fast food with vegan burgers, “chicken” sandwiches, nuggets, fries, and even milkshakes—promising flavor-packed, 100% plant-based meals that were both good for you and the planet.
While the concept itself may have attracted a health-conscious and environmentally aware crowd, California’s increasingly burdensome regulations and rising operational costs tell a different story. Hart House’s closure comes on the heels of yet another restaurant casualty in the Golden State—Shake Shack. The popular East Coast burger chain announced the closure of five Southern California locations by the end of September, a striking parallel.
It’s impossible to overlook the economic realities businesses are facing in California. One significant factor? The state’s new $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers, which went into effect just five months ago. In that short span, major chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and In-N-Out Burger have already raised prices to offset the wage hike, straining both consumers and small businesses trying to stay afloat.
With the California Fast Food Workers Union pushing for yet another wage hike to $20.70 per hour by January 2025, it’s no wonder restaurants are closing their doors left and right. The so-called “fight for a livable wage” seems to be having the opposite effect—driving beloved establishments out of business while pushing prices higher for everyone else. Hart House’s idealistic mission to deliver healthier, more sustainable fast food may have been doomed from the start, thanks to the relentless demands of the state’s labor unions and a government seemingly intent on squeezing every penny out of business owners.
For many, the demise of Hart House is a glaring example of the impact California’s over-regulation and skyrocketing wage demands have on entrepreneurship and innovation. Hart’s venture, while backed by star power, was no match for the harsh economic realities many small and medium-sized businesses face in the state. As businesses continue to buckle under the weight of these policies, Californians are left with fewer dining options and steeper prices for the ones that remain.
Though Kevin Hart has yet to speak publicly about the closures, it’s likely that the comedian turned restaurateur, like many other business owners, fell victim to a perfect storm of economic pressures that make it increasingly difficult to operate in California. The lesson here? Even with a great concept and a beloved celebrity name behind it, no business can thrive in an environment that punishes success and innovation with crippling costs.
