Fountain Valley, California — Souplantation is officially returning to California in 2027, giving longtime fans another chance to enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet that became a favorite for families before the COVID-19 pandemic forced its restaurants to close.
The company plans to reopen its former restaurant at 11179 Talbert Avenue in Fountain Valley, Orange County, roughly an hour north of San Diego. The announcement marks a major step in the revival of the San Diego-founded chain, which shut down all its locations in 2020.
Souplantation Director of Corporate Affairs Marlee Lossing confirmed the reopening plans to NBC 7.
“Souplantation will be making its return to Fountain Valley, CA in 2027,” Lossing confirmed.
An exact opening date has not yet been announced, leaving fans waiting for more details about when they can walk back into the familiar buffet.
Souplantation Fans Celebrate the California Comeback
For customers who grew up visiting Souplantation with their families, the announcement brings back memories of weekend meals, salad bars and favorite desserts.
Kevin Yahampath of Fountain Valley said he was initially unsure whether the reopening news was genuine.
“I wasn’t sure if it was real or not, but I guess it’s real if you’re here,” Yahampath said.
The longtime customer, who regularly visited the restaurant with his family before the closures, is already looking forward to its return.
“I feel amazing. I think I’m going to be here every weekend,” Yahampath said.
His reaction reflects the excitement surrounding the chain’s comeback after several years without its traditional buffet experience.
What Will the New Souplantation Restaurant Offer?
Fans hoping for the original Souplantation experience can expect the company to preserve the buffet format that helped make the chain popular.
According to Lossing, the Fountain Valley restaurant will feature the familiar salad bar, soups, freshly baked breads and desserts that customers remember.
“A big part of bringing Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes back is preserving the experience our guests remember and love. The original setup worked so well, and it’s exactly what our guests know and expect,” Lossing said.
For Sherri Connor of Westminster, the return means another opportunity to enjoy some of her favorite items.
“The salad and the ice cream dessert,” Connor said.
Yahampath already has a plan for his first meal back at the buffet.
“I think I’m gonna get my greens in before I hit the soup and the breads,” he said.
The company’s emphasis on familiar menu options suggests that the reopening will focus on bringing back the experience that loyal customers missed rather than introducing an entirely different restaurant concept.
Why Souplantation Closed in 2020
Souplantation was founded in San Diego in 1978 and grew into a popular buffet chain with locations across California and other states. Its sister brand, Sweet Tomatoes, also developed a loyal following among customers seeking salads, soups, breads and other buffet favorites.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought that business to an abrupt halt in 2020. More than 90 Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants closed as pandemic restrictions and health concerns made traditional self-service buffets difficult to operate.
For many families, the closures meant losing a familiar place for weekend meals and gatherings.
“It was really just a shame. My family and I used to go there all the time on the weekends,” Yahampath said.
Lossing explained that reopening restaurants was always part of the revival plan.
“The plan was always to reopen locations. When we got involved in 2020 to revive Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation, we always knew we would be bringing locations back,” Lossing said.
The company assembled a team of former Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes operators with more than 100 years of combined experience to help bring the restaurants back.
Finding suitable locations in California, however, proved challenging. Some properties had been demolished for redevelopment, while others had been leased to businesses offering similar concepts.
The opportunity to return to the former Fountain Valley restaurant eventually allowed the company to move forward.
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Is Souplantation Returning to San Diego?
Despite its San Diego origins, there are currently no confirmed plans to reopen a Souplantation restaurant in the city.
The Fountain Valley location is expected to become the third operating Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes restaurant in the country, joining locations in Arizona and Florida, according to Lossing.
The company has not ruled out additional California locations, but no further openings have been announced.
“We are excited about our return to Fountain Valley, CA and do not have more restaurants to announce at this time. We are always exploring different markets for potential future sites. We would like to open more restaurants once we can find the perfect locations,” Lossing said.
Earlier revival efforts included plans in 2022 and 2023 for a Souplantation-style restaurant at a former location in La Mesa, but that project never materialized.
Meanwhile, Soup ‘n Fresh, a restaurant offering a similar buffet-style experience, opened in Rancho Cucamonga in 2024 and later expanded to Chino Hills.
For now, Fountain Valley is the confirmed destination for Souplantation’s California return. Connor summed up the excitement many former customers are feeling.
“I’m glad to see it come back,” Connor said.
Would you visit Souplantation when it reopens in California in 2027? Tell us your favorite menu item and whether you hope the chain eventually returns to San Diego in the comments.
