Souplantation / Sweet Tomatoes

Souplantation's May 2020 liquidation permanently closed all 97 locations. The buffet chain faced an existential problem: its entire business model - self-serve salad bars - became impossible during COVID. Unlike restaurants that could pivot to delivery, Souplantation's communal serving concept couldn't be adapted. Parent company Garden Fresh Restaurants liquidated entirely rather than attempt survival. Souplantation demonstrated that some business models have no pandemic pivot available.