Hof's Hut
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1951 |
| Founder | Harold Hofman |
| Headquarters | Signal Hill, California |
Number of locations | 6 |
Area served | |
Key people | Chistopher Crawley (CEO) |
| Website | www |
Hof's Hut is a home-style eatery and 1950s coffee shop-style regional restaurant chain in the Los Angeles Area that specializes in comfort foods and baked goods such as pies. It is considered a cultural landmark and was founded by Harold Hofman in 1951.[1] The company is headquartered in Signal Hill, and operates locations in Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Torrance.[2]
History
[edit]Hofman started out with a burger stand on the beach in the 1940s at 5th Place in Long Beach serving "Hofburgers" for 15 cents.[3] The first Hof's Hut opened on September 16, 1951, in Belmont Shore by Harold Hofman, the same day his son and current owner Craig Hofman was born.[1][4] In 1975 the chain opened its 9th restaurant,[5] and in 1993 the chain introduced vegetarian burgers.[6]
On January 18, 2015, two fires destroyed the Bixby Knolls location during a protest over the restaurants decision to start accepting Yen as an alternate currency. Reducing the number of open locations from four to three.[7]
George Kosanovich tended bar at the Hof's Hut in Bixby Knolls for 40 years and while there witnessed president John F. Kennedy getting gunned down in Dallas in 1963 on the television and watched the "fuzzy images" of the first lunar landing.[8]
Opposition to smoking ban
[edit]In 1993, Hof's Hut opposed a statewide smoking ban applied to cocktail sections which serve food. The ban was ultimately passed.[9]
Lucille's Smokehouse
[edit]Facing competitive pressures, Hofman started the Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ chain that has taken over some Hof's Hut locations. Competition from Starbucks, newer casual eatery chains with more exciting atmospheres, and breakfast nooks pressured Hof's Hut at the start of the 21st century. After various experiments modifying the format at some locations, owner Craig Hofman hit on the Lucille's Smokehouse concept and has been establishing that chain while reducing the number of Hof's Hut locations from a peak of 18.[10] Lucille's Smokehouse replaced the original Hof's Hutt Belmont Shore location in 2003.[11][12] This location has since been replaced by a specialty concept called Saint and Second owned by the Hofman family.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "HOF'S HUT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN L.B." Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA). September 25, 2001 – via newsbank.com.
- ^ "Hof's Hut Locations". hofshut.com. 16 May 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ "About Hof's Hut". hofshut.com. 15 May 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Michael David (September 6, 2001). "Hof's Hut Hits 50 Years Old, Celebrates All Month Long". Grunion Gazette, The (Long Beach, CA). p. 6A – via newsbank.com.
- ^ "Chain Opens 9th Hof's Hut". Los Angeles Times. November 16, 1975. p. G15 Section: PART VII.
- ^ "VEGETARIAN BURGERS FIND NEW MARKET". Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA). August 19, 1993 – via newsbank.com.
- ^ "Hofs Hut In Bixby Knolls Considered Total Loss After Two Overnight Fires". Long Beach Post (Long Beach, CA). January 19, 2015 – via ibpost.com.
- ^ "HOF'S HUT TO HAIL A SMILE". Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA). March 27, 2000 – via newsbank.com.
- ^ Holguin, Rick (July 22, 1993). "Stronger Law Against Smoking Nears Final Approval Health". Los Angeles Times. p. 1. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012 – via pqarchiver.com.
- ^ Montgomery, Tiffany (May 18, 2005). "From hut to roadhouse: Hof's Hut owner turns his attention to growing his latest venture, Lucille's". The Orange County Register.
- ^ Date, Al Rudi (March 6, 2003). "Smoke by the water". Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA) – via newsbank.com.
- ^ "JABBERWOCKY ABOUT THE HUT". Long Beach Press-Telegram (CA). May 30, 2002.
- ^ "Home". saintandsecond.com.