Hometown Buffet announced that it would be closing down all of its restaurants this week, news that sent shockwaves through the already beleaguered restaurant industry. The demise of Hometown Buffet is a sign of how much the all-you-can-eat buffet model has fallen out of favor with American diners. Although Hometown Buffets closure will be a setback for the 1,800 employees who will be losing their jobs, it is not expected to have a significant impact on the overall restaurant industry. Market Realist is a registered trademark. Alex Susskind, a professor of food and beverage management at Cornell University, said he does not think buffets can survive under the methods they used to operate under. Hometown Buffet was one of many buffet chains to suffer as a result. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); I act like Im OK, but deep down, I miss HomeTown Buffet, another Twitter user wrote in May 2021. 1999: Company purchases 80 percent stake in Tahoe Joe's, Inc. Company History: Buffets, Inc. is one of the most successful businesses in the restaurant industry, owning and operating 388 eating establishments in 36 states and franchising another 24 in ten states. As of 2019, there are only 29 Hometown Buffet restaurants still in operation. With many Americans becoming more health-conscious and opting for healthier meal options, buffet restaurants have been struggling to keep up with the times. After the 2008 Chapter 11 filing, the chain reduced some of its 626 locations and slashed debt by a whopping $700 million. HomeTown Buffet - Home - Facebook Sorry, Old Country Buffet fans: Your favorite haunt for cheese biscuits is no more. These Adored Buffet Restaurants Are Now Closed for Good Buffet chains have been hit particularly hard by the novel coronavirus pandemic since their business models depend on in-person dining and self service, which is currently banned by state COVID-19 guidelines. Two of the largest Golden Corral franchisees filed for bankruptcy since the pandemic began, and one of them shut down 16 locations permanently. Pizza Inns sales rose 1.8% last year, while Iowa-based Pizza Ranchs sales increased 7.3%. However, one thing is clear: the days of the all-you-can-eat buffet may be numbered. Buffet owners like Sherry Buenostro view having one as a point of pride. As of today, 284 Golden Corral dining rooms have safely reopened across the country. The closure of Hometown Buffet marks the end of an era for buffet restaurants. EIN: 41-0953924. Now that we're smarter about food-borne illnesses, fewer people are willing to eat anywhere that requires a "sneeze guard," and we can't blame them. By the time the pandemic hit, it had only 16 locations in four states. This buffet chain serving endless pizza, salad, and dessert has been going strong for more than 60 years and still has dozens of restaurants spread across the South. The publication noted that former parent company Buffets Inc. had 650 locations in 2006. As always, the safety of our teams, guests, and communities remains our highest priority. For people like Sarah Chen Small, going to one was a way to mark a milestone in your life maybe a birthday or a graduation. The competition for takeout and off-premise food is very high. Members help make our journalism possible. Old Country Buffet simply can't compete with the modern vibes and fresh fare that fast casual restaurants like Qdoba and Sweetgreen deliver so effortlessly. As of 2019, there are 97 Hometown Buffet locations across the United States. This once-ubiquitous buffet was among the chains that shuttered as a result of parent company Fresh Acquisitions bankruptcy in 2021. It may be the end of an era for one of Americas favorite places to fill up and then some: the buffet. The big buffet chain has been gradually reopening locations across the country with a different service model, typically a cafeteria-style strategy in which employees serve customers items that would have otherwise been in a buffet. Unfortunately for businesses like Old Country Buffet, buffets are often synonymous with obesity. HomeTown Buffet - Home - Facebook Apparently what the Gages didn't know was that a month before they ate there, the Laramie County Health Department had fined the restaurant for 18 health violations because of others reporting sickness. According to a neurologist that testified at the August 2014 court hearing, Chris suffered brain damage from the salmonella, which has resulted in persistent nausea, balance issues, coordination issues, cognitive defects, emotional control issues, and speech problems. Even places like Five Guys and Shake Shack (which is, after all, leading the burger revolution) are trying to make the average hamburger joint a gourmet-ish experience but it still better be quick! All four haven't seen a customer since. By Jonathan Maze on Jun. CA Hometown Buffet Locations Near Me - Menuism New service models have been developed to comply with variations in local guidelines and provide our guests an enjoyable Golden Corral experience. After Buffets, Inc (who owns chains like Old Country Buffet, Home Town Buffet, and Ryan's) filed for bankruptcy in 2012, they closed 16 percent of their restaurants, according to Forbes. Buffets, like many other businesses throughout the U.S., have closed out of safety precautions, and may not be able to return once the COVID-19 crisis is over. Hometown Buffet in Beaverton, OR WEAK MANAGEMENT "Was suppose to have a business meeting at this branch in Elk Grove California Arrival-ed at 10:45." Hometown Buffet in Elk Grove, CA complete buffet "very nice buffet.. had a late lunch, paid the lunch price at 215, then at 300 dinner items were p." Hometown Buffet in St Louis, MO As restaurants reopen, many regulations explicitly forbid buffets and self-service. The company was founded by Roe Hatlen and C. Dennis Scott on October 19, 1983, along with Dermot Rowland and Doron Jensen. Similarly, many other buffet concepts shut their doors, including Sweet Tomatoes, HomeTown Buffet, Old Country Buffet and others. As the virus spread in early March, Golden Corral added safeguards to its buffets. The owner of HomeTown Buffet and other buffet dining chains filed on Monday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, blaming a lawsuit that was not disclosed when its current owner bought the businesses in August. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. The 2016 Chapter 11 filing primarily blamed costs associated with a lawsuit against the company, and with it brought even more store closures. The VitaNova spokeswoman said the recovery of buffet-style restaurants will depend upon the easing of dining restrictions. According to Gallup polling, the 42 percent of adults polled said they attended church in 2008. And any diet-conscious person who does eat at Old Country Buffet will likely cost the chain money, so that's not any better. These days there's a restaurant for pretty much every kind of niche food you can think of, from chicken and waffles to Indonesian stew. They're like the Kardashian/Jenner family of buffets. Hometown Buffet has been a staple in the community for over 30 years, but its recently closed its doors. The parent company of Old Country Buffet filed for bankruptcy In addition, the restaurant offers seasonal specialties and uniquely prepared desserts. All-you-can-eat buffets are a dying breed. The Raleigh, N.C.-based chain's system sales rose 3.7% last year, according to Technomic's Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. HomeTown Buffet. The decline of the buffet is due to a variety of factors, including the rise of health consciousness and the popularity of healthy eating, the rise of food delivery and takeaway options, and the increasing cost of food. It sort of reminds me of how big of a deal Chinese banquets are, said Small, whos Chinese-American. Auctions in Bell Gardens, Covina, and Montebello close Wednesday, Dec. 16 while an auction in Burbank closes Friday, Dec. 18. Hometown Buffet is one of the most popular all-you-can-eat buffet chains in the United States. According to Restaurant Business, the COVID-19 crisis has hit buffet brands hard. 25, 2018. 13 reviews $$ - $$$ American. And who could blame them? The company is privately owned, byInvestors Management Corp., a company chaired by the same man who opened the first location. In 1995, Hometown Buffet was acquired by Food Management Partners, a large operator of buffet restaurants. Hometown Buffet has been unable to keep up with these changes and will likely continue to decline until it is eventually forced to close its doors for good. Updated Oct 12, 2020, 12:13pm CDT. In addition, many consumers are now more health conscious and are looking for healthier menu options when they go out to eat. In 2017, Hometown Buffetufffds parent company, Downey Financial Corp., filed for bankruptcy. Similarly, many other buffet concepts shut their doors, including Sweet Tomatoes, HomeTown Buffet, Old Country Buffet and others. However, in recent years, the company has been struggling to keep up with the changing landscape of the restaurant industry. Hometown Buffet is a buffet-style restaurant chain downey with locations across the United States. According to the location finder on its site, today there are only a total of 17 Old Country Buffet restaurants left in the country, and sales were down more than 37 percent in 2017. But why is insulin so expensive in the first place? Hometown Buffet is a buffet-style restaurant chain with locations across the United States. Amanda has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in digital journalism from Loyola University Chicago. Chain Restaurants That Are Closing Locations, this old Old Country Buffet training video, Local Burger Chains the Rest of the Country Needs, Age Pays: 130+ Senior Discounts (Some Starting at Age 50! Everybodys happy.. The endless scroll struggle is real. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Will this be the end of an era? Old Country Buffet closes last Illinois restaurant Ovation brands also owns Old Country Buffet, Ryans Grill, Fire Mountain, and Tahoe Joes Famous Steakhouse. If Old Country Buffet wants to start offering exotic grain bowls, baby kale salad, and artisanal ice cream with savory flavors, maybe it can stand a chance. The parent company of Furrs Fresh Buffet, Ryans, Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet and other concepts filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week. HomeTown Buffet was already struggling before the pandemic hit, so it's no surprise that this beloved chain has gone under. Since buffets tend to cut as many corners as possible when it comes to buying their food, it's safe to say they aren't exactly making eggs from local farmers their number one priority. Hometown Buffet is a restaurant that has been in business for over 20 years, but they announced on their website that they will be closing down in 2020. She and her best friend can take their young kids, who wont fuss about the wait time compared to other restaurants. 988 Goodman Rd, Horn Lake, MS 38637", https://web.archive.org/web/20050315003554/http://www.buffet.com/, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=VitaNova_Brands&oldid=1138835566, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 22:20. You know how sometimes there are so many choices of shows and movies to watch now, that you can't even make a decision and end up not watching anything? The parent company of Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation has gone into liquidation, and the two largest Golden Corral franchisees pursued debt protection. It also added an online foodservice offering through ToGoKitchens.com, which offers brands owned by VitaNova. Auction Nation has held recent auctions at Hometown Buffets in other states. Last week, the buffet chain Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes announced all 97 of its restaurants are closing permanently. In the past year, weve seen similar closures from Souplantation, Sweet Tomatoes, and Ryans Grill, Buffet & Bakery. Feeling nostalgic? The company is privately owned, by Investors Management Corp., a company chaired by the same man who opened the first location. There have only been three CEOs in the entire history of the chain, which was founded in 1973 in North Carolina. Hometown Buffet - CLOSED Unclaimed Review Save Share 53 reviews $$ - $$$ American 3000 Gateway St Ste 726, Springfield, OR 97477-1033 +1 541-746-3220 Website See all (13) Ratings and reviews 53 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details CUISINES American Meals Lunch, Brunch, Breakfast, Dinner FEATURES Seating, Wheelchair Accessible Complete List of HomeTown Buffet Locations | AggData Hometown Buffet holds liquidation auctions across Southern California Models include "no-touch" buffet service where guests use a disposable glove or napkins when handling serving utensils or a "we serve you" buffet, which features endless helpings and eliminates a guest's need to touch serving utensils. Hometown Buffet is a buffet-style restaurant chain downey with locations across the United States. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you. He underwent a two-week hospital stint and multiple surgeries, and as of 2015 remained in constant chronic pain. On Monday, a sign on the front door of the restaurant in the Shasta Crossroads center on Churn Creek Road. It might be premature to say that the buffet is dead, but it seems likely to go into a coma for a while. Enhanced delivery, takeout, and curbside pick-up are available at all locations. All-you-can-eat buffets are also a victim of changing dietary habits. The rise of fast casual dining chains such as Panera Bread and Chipotle Mexican Grill has made it difficult for Hometown Buffet to compete. VitaNova shut down the locations in March when the coronavirus pandemic began. There is less environmental impact if you transport produce from the local farm instead of trucking it across the country. See all (3) Enhance this page - Upload photos! announced all 97 of its restaurants are closing permanently, allocating $2.4 million to remodel the area, How the CBO became God in Washingtons budget battles, How a food business tied to the hotel industry is recovering from COVID-19, Cruise ships, eager to sail, offer free trial voyages, Warren Buffetts next venture: the Celebrity Apprentice, Buffett says airlines are now a good investment. Competing chains Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes have been through a bankruptcy filing, and the parent company of Old Country Buffet and HomeTown Buffet has been through multiple such filings. Can you believe there was a time when you donned your Sunday best to go to Old Country Buffet? Three states have 28 Hometown Buffets. Given the choice, customers are picking Golden Corral over Old Country Buffet pretty consistently. That means those self-service drink stations at many fast-food restaurants will be gone for the time being. Long gone are the days when you can only order pizza or Chinese food to your front door. Winsight is a leading B2B information services company focused on the food and beverage industry, providing insight and market intelligence to business leaders in every channel consumers buy food and beverage convenience stores, grocery retailing, restaurants and noncommercial foodservice through media, events, data products, advisory services, and trade shows. } Its the same idea: theres all this food and its a big gathering.. When states shut dining rooms, it shifted to takeout only. As with many restaurants on this list, HomeTown Buffet has faced bankruptcy in the past. It's not very likely you'll get your delivery driver to bring you seconds unless, of course, you pay him a second time, too. Hometown Buffet lists 20 locations in California on its website, where it describes the liquidated restaurants as reopening soon. In 2008, FMP filed for bankruptcy and sold Hometown Buffet to Ovation Brands. This is a complete list of all HomeTown Buffet locations, along with their geographic coordinates. buffet restaurants have been hit hard by the rise of fast casual chains like Chipotle and Panera Bread, which offer fresh, made-to-order food at a similar price point. But it, too, was already struggling, and was ultimately brought down for good in parent company Fresh Acquisitions bankruptcy. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The irony is, buffets are probably the fastest food to mouth option you can get outside of your home they just don't have that "fast casual" label that's practically required for popular eateries these days. Related: 22 Things You Didn't Know About Jell-O. It is unclear if Hometown Buffet will be able to make a comeback or if it will eventually go out of business completely. If you're craving something specific, there's a place to get it. The closure of Hometown Buffet is just the latest example of a once-popular restaurant chain struggling to stay afloat in recent years. Still, it couldnt escape market forces, and Gattis parent company filed for bankruptcy in early 2019, a decision that spurred an undisclosed number of closings. } ); Lunch buffet fans lost the place where they could slurp soup, get their greens, and indulge in endless bread and soft serve in March 2020, when Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes shut their doors. Nation's Restaurant News is part of the Informa Connect Division of Informa PLC. That could require massive changes at buffet concepts, or their end altogether, says RBs The Bottom Line. Representatives from Ovation didn't even show up for the first hearing. More people are choosing farm to table (or farm to fork) restaurants because it's arguably better for the planet. All-you-can-eat buffets have also come under fire for being wasteful and contributing to rising obesity rates. The chain, born in the 70s, at one point had more than 500 family-friendly steakhouse buffet restaurantssprinkled across the country and employed more than 20,000 people. Sign up to receive texts from Restaurant Business on news and insights that matter to your brand. By the end of the month,its company stores were closed altogether. Four locations of these buffet restaurants in three states are officially closed. The HomeTown Buffets in Chula Vista, and Bakersfield, Calif., the Ryan's in Charleston, W. Va., and The Old Country Buffets in Chicago were hit hard by the pandemic. Related: 30 American-Themed Restaurants and Attractions Around the World. "This was an incredibly difficult decision but these locations were already suffering from declining sales before the pandemic," Jason Kemp, the VitaNova Brands president says in a statement, "with expiring leases without our ability to extend under favorable terms, we needed to make the tough call to redirect our resources to other locations in order to continue to operate our restaurants under our new concept of AYCE (all-you-can-eat) and Marketplace.". VitaNova Brands - Wikipedia Old Country Buffet doesn't advertise where it's food is sourced from, but it's probably safe to assume their cooks aren't hitting the local farmers market to stock up on veggies. Anyone who wants to eat local is more than likely going somewhere other than Old Country Buffet and the number of people that applies to is steadily rising. Why did HomeTown Buffet close? Even if Old Country Buffet did start partnering with Uber Eats, it seems like something that wouldn't work well. Hometown Buffet operated 123 locations in 26 states across the United States. Buffets are able to cut costs by focusing on the behavioral psychology of how we eat at a buffet. It opened an additional seven locations and now has 489, and average unit volumes increased. Parent of Old Country Buffet and Ryan's Declares Bankruptcy Hometown Buffets decline began in earnest in 2010, when the company was sold by its parent corporation ( buffets, Inc.) to an investor group led by Food Management Partners. That deal meant BBQ Holdings was the new owner of the remaining Tahoe Joes locations and the intellectual property for HomeTown Buffet, Old Country Buffet, Ryans, and the other buffet chains. 1,282 were here. Anthony Wedo, the CEO of Old Country Buffet's parent company, Buffets Inc., was even on the CBS hit show Undercover Boss in 2013 in an effort to reinvigorate the company's name after it fell on hard times. Old Country Buffet, Ryan's, HomeTown Buffet owners declare bankruptcy For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you. The guidelines also mention buffets that use common utensils or dispensers.. While this is unfortunate news for the company and their employees, it is indicative of a larger trend in the restaurant industry. Editor's note: A previous version of this story said Golden Corral filed for bankruptcy, but to clarify, it was a franchise company that did so. The Downey, California-based company has been in operation since 1983 and currently has locations across the United States. HomeTown Buffet in Redding suddenly closes after 25 years