“Our never-ending soup and salad days are behind us: Souplantation is permanently closing every location, effective immediately.

“Headquartered in San Diego County, where the first Souplantation opened in 1978, the all-you-can-eat chain now numbers nearly 100 outposts across the country.

“Run by parent company Garden Fresh Corp, the buffet restaurants are known as Sweet Tomatoes outside of Southern California.

“On March 10, days before California and much of the country closed restaurant dining rooms in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Garden Fresh CEO John Haywood announced the temporary closure of all of its restaurants nationwide.

““We believe it is our social responsibility to assist in flattening the curve, and as soon as we can, we will resume restaurant operations,” he said.”

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