Sweet Tomato is the name of a popular restaurant chain. The Sweet Tomato Restaurants are known to be one of the most environmental friendly restaurants in their daily operation and they only serve healthy and fresh food on their buffet table. Thus far, many customers know. But do you know that this restaurant chain is part of the Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp and that they are based in the San Diego? Well, they do and they are successful because they are unique. Not many restaurants offer an array of healthy food for their customers.
The first Restaurant, at that time it was the Soulplantation Restaurant, was opened for public in March 1978 and was located in the Mission George Area, San Diego. Not long afterwards, the second restaurant was opened in Point Loma as there seemed to be more customers that one restaurant can handle. Back then, the Soulplantation was the pioneered of the fresh served casual eatery brand with an abundant menu options, thus they had received their popularity almost instantly.
Later on, in 1983, the Garden Fresh was founded. The Corporation was founded by Anthony Brooke and Micheal Mack. They immediately showed interest in the Soulplantation Restaurant and finally took over the two restaurants. Under their hands, the company showed continues growth all through the 1980s. Then, they wanted to expand their markets to area beyond the Southern California.
To further show their customers that the company aimed in serving fresh food as well as to enhance their brand profile, they used the name of Sweet Tomato for their third restaurant which was located outside of the Southern California or Palm Harbor (Tampa) to be exact. This restaurant was opened in January 1990 and in several years, the restaurant was progressing to show that even the market beyond the Southern California is also interested in the food presented by Soulplantation or Sweet Tomato.
The chain of restaurants was expanding steadily and in 1995, the Garden Fresh Corp already operated 33 restaurants with two brands, the Sweet Tomato and Soulplantation. The 33 restaurants were no longer in California, in fact they are in three different states. At that time, it was the first public offering and they have been able to receive as many interests from the industry, showing just how interesting the brands were.
After the first offering, the company expanded more rapidly than ever before. In only three years, from 1998 to 2001, they had been able to add 44 units in 10 states and in total ,they operated 125 restaurants.
