Sweet Tomatoes, also known by its former name Souplantation, has formally announced its plans to reopen a restaurant location in Fountain Valley in 2027. This eagerly awaited development marks the all-you-can-eat chain’s definitive return to the state of California, a significant event given its statewide shutdown and subsequent bankruptcy filing in 2020. The company has specifically confirmed its intention to revive the former Souplantation site, a substantial property spanning 7,800 square feet. This particular location is situated at 11179 Talbert Avenue, an address firmly placed within The Shoppes at Costco Plaza in Fountain Valley.
The selection of Fountain Valley for this inaugural California re-entry point underscores the considerable strategic importance the company places on Orange County for its market revival. This move is set to bring a well-known and familiar dining establishment back to the region, several years after the entire chain was compelled to shutter all its locations nationwide. Prior to the widespread closures that were forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweet Tomatoes operated a robust network that included 97 restaurants. The upcoming Fountain Valley outpost, upon its scheduled opening, will notably represent only the third location to be opened by the brand in the last three years across the entire country. The other two establishments that have commenced operations during this period are located in Tucson, Arizona, and Fort Meyers, Florida, illustrating the careful and measured pace of the company's re-expansion efforts.
The brand itself has publicly articulated its perspective on the pivotal role of this Orange County location. Through its official Instagram account, Sweet Tomatoes described Fountain Valley as "the heart of SoCal and worth the drive from LA, Orange County, and San Diego," a statement that effectively positions the site as a central and highly accessible destination for a broad base of potential patrons extending across the expansive Southern California area. Furthermore, the company’s Instagram account had initially generated early buzz by teasing the planned 2027 comeback for Souplantation just two days prior to making the formal announcement, thereby building anticipation among its followers and the local community. The re-establishment of this business in Fountain Valley is poised to introduce new commercial activity within the local economy and will specifically provide Orange County residents with the return of a long-standing community dining option that many may remember.
