Temecula Souplantation to Remain Open Despite Company's Financial Woes

TEMECULA, CA — Following the news Monday that Garden Fresh, the San Diego-based company which operates Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants, had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and had plans to close 20-30 of its underperforming locations, a company spokesman had good news Wednesday for customers in Southwest Riverside County and California in general who enjoy dining at the salad-bar chain.

"None of our restaurants in California are closing as a result of the Chapter 11 financial restructuring filing," Don Cowan, director of communications for Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. told Patch in an email.

Founded in 1978 in San Diego, the company grew to more than 100 locations, 49 of which are in California. In addition to Temecula, the Inland Empire is home to four other locations, including Chino Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino and La Quinta. In San Diego County, the company has 12 locations; in Orange County, nine; in Los Angeles County, 14; in the San Francisco Bay Area, eight; and in Fresno, one.

Although Cowan assured no California locations were closing, he did not provide a list of those that were.

At least two stores were closed in Florida, The Florida Times-Union reported. Both Sweet Tomatoes locations in Jacksonville were abruptly shuttered Tuesday, leaving 57 mostly part-time employees out of work, the newspaper reported. They'd be open since 1999.

“It really is no reflection on the teams or the best efforts of the employees there, really. It was strictly a business decision that was part of an overall company restructuring that’s taking place,” Rick Van Warner, a Garden Fresh spokesman, told The Florida Times-Union.

In a news release, the company said it expects to emerge from the Chapter 11 process by Dec. 5.
"Garden Fresh will operate our business as usual, and we remain focused on providing fresh, wholesome food and great service to our guests," said Garden Fresh CEO John Morberg. "By improving our capital structure through this restructuring, we'll be able to accelerate the changes underway to refresh our restaurants and build a strong future."

(Photo of Souplantation in Temecula, Calif. by Maggie Avants, Patch staff)