According to a post earlier today by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Garden Fresh, the parent company of Sweet Tomatoes (Website) and Souplantation restaurants, is planning to file for bankruptcy.
The San Diego-based Garden Fresh Restaurants issued a statement that with the FDA-sanctioned restrictions on self-serve stations and buffet-style restaurants put place during the pandemic, it would be too difficult to reopen.
“The regulations are understandable, but unfortunately, it makes it very difficult to reopen. And I’m not sure the health departments are ever going to allow it.” – John Haywood, CEO of garden fresh
Haywood told People that the company had been losing approximately $1 million a week since coronavirus-led closures in mid-March.
There were five locations of Sweet Tomatoes in the region including The Colonial Promenade in East Orlando, Altamonte Springs, the International Festival Shopping Center on South Kirkman Road, one on South Apopka Vineland Road, and another in Kissimmee.
