Restaurant chains that serve healthy food tend to struggle.
People may say they want to eat healthier, and on some level they do, but when given the choice to actually eat healthy, they usually don’t.
That’s why the plant-based McPlant hamburger failed at McDonald’s. It’s a good idea in theory, but when it comes time for people to actually place an order, they tend to go for a Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets.
The same logic applies to restaurants . Only 1% of Americans identify as vegans, according to Gallup while. the same poll showed that 3% consider themselves vegeterian. That means that a vegan restaurant, unless it’s in a very large city, needs to appeal to non-vegan customers.
Planta, a chain which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, tried to do exactly that.
Planta tried to bring in non-vegans
Planta shared its mission on website.
Led by Co-founder and Executive Chef David Lee, Planta was born in 2016 to expand the accessibility and acceptability of plant based dining; dining as it should be — an unguilty pleasure. Creating a premier hospitality collective of 100% plant-based restaurants, Planta reimagines, reinvents, and revitalizes, providing flavorful proof that the power of plants can change the world.
The chain, which had 18 locations at the time of its bankruptcy filing, will shrink to eight locations after a judge signed off on its bankruptcy plan, is really committed to plants.
We believe in the power of plants to change the world. For our health, for the health of our communities, and for the health of our planet — plants are the key. In everything we do, we seek to understand, experiment with, and maximize the power of plants to nourish, inspire, and sustain. We strive to operate in a paperless and reduced-waste environment, eliminating paper cheques, printed materials, and one-time-use water bottles and coffee cups.
That’s a nice idea, but it’s not one that has resonated with customers. At the time of its filing, the chain reported between $10 and $50 million in liabilities and almost no assets.
Planta through the years
- 2016: First Planta opens in Toronto (Yorkville).
- 2017: Planta Burger opens in Toronto’s Financial District.
- 2018: U.S. debut: Planta Miami Beach (South of Fifth).
- 2021: Planta Cocina opens in Toronto (closed 2023).
- 2022: Planta opens in Bethesda, MD.
- 2022: Planta Queen (Asian-inspired concept) launches.
- 2023: Planta expands to Los Angeles (Marina del Rey and Brentwood).
- 2023: Atlanta openings: Planta at Krog Street Market and Planta Queen in Buckhead.
- 2025 (May): Parent company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware.
- 2025 (May-June): Closures begin.
Image source: Planta
Planta has survived Chapter 11 bankruptcy
“Cassel Salpeter & Co., an independent investment banking firm that provides advisory services to middle market and emerging growth companies, facilitated to sale of assets of CHG US Holdings LLC, parent company of restaurant chain Planta, to New CHG US Holdings, which is a newly formed entity affiliated with Anchorage Capital Group, one of its former creditors,” Nation’s Restaurant News reported.
The new owner acquired the chain for about $7.8 million, mostly in converted debt, according to court filings.
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Planta is fighting an uphill battle as plant-based meats have struggled in the U.S.
“Despite hopes that burgers, sausages and chicken made from soy, peas and beans would curb Americans’ love of eating butchered animals – thereby reducing the rampant deforestation, water pollution and planet-heating emissions involved in raising livestock – these alternatives languish at just 1% of the total meat market in the US,” The Guardian reported.
Vegan/plant-based restaurant closures in 2025
- Plum Bistro (Seattle, WA): flagship vegan spot, plus Plum Chopped, closed in Jan 2025.
- Paradox Cafe (Portland, OR): longtime vegan-friendly diner, closed in 2025.
- Fair Weather (Portland, OR): vegan/pescatarian brunch spot, reopened briefly but then closed permanently in July 2025.
- Sage Regenerative Kitchen & Brewery (Pasadena & Echo Park, CA): formerly Sage Vegan Bistro; closed in Jan 2025 after reintroducing animal products.
- Veggie Grill: closed 12 locations (about 40% of units) in 2025 as part of restructuring.
- Planta: Filed Chapter 11 in May 2025; closures began with West Palm Beach (CityPlace), Miami Beach, Brentwood (CA), and Atlanta Buckhead Queen.
- Neat Burger: Backed by Lewis Hamilton & Leonardo DiCaprio: closed all UK locations in April 2025, entered liquidation in July 2025.
Remaining Planta locations
- Maryland: Planta Bethesda and Planta Queen in Dupont Circle
- New York: Planta Queen in Nomad and Planta Williamsburg
- Chicago: Planta, Chicago
- Toronto: Planta Queen, Entertainment District and Planta Yorkville
- Los Angeles: Planta Cocina, Marina Del Ray, Planta, Brentwood
Source: Planta
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