CALIFORNIA – While many industries are having to change how they operate because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fate of buffet restaurants is still unclear.

FDA officials have recommended restaurants stop services that require customers to use shared utensils whether they be at salad bars, buffets, or beverage service stations. This could end up being a difficult task for restaurants that primarily operate as buffets.

The owners of Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes announced they are permanently closing their 97 restaurant locations. The chain, which previously had around a dozen locations in SoCal, is known for serving health-focused foods like salads buffet style.

According to the company’s website, approximately 4,400 staff members will be out of work because of the closures. And as of now, it appears customers that purchased gift cards may not get refunds the traditional way.

“For gift card inquiries, refund options are limited at this time. You may be able to dispute the purchase with your bank or credit card company. Otherwise, there may be an alternative option available through the court in the future,” said a statement on the Souplantation website.

Despite the dire signals the closings may send to similar restaurant chains, others are trying to make changes fast so they don’t meet the same fate.

Since the pandemic made its way to the U.S., Golden Corral restaurants have been adjusting their business model restaurant-by-restaurant in order to accommodate state regulations individual restaurants face.

In Texas, more than 30 locations have been converted into cafeteria-style restaurants where staff members plate the customers’ food for them behind a counter. In California, where dine-in service remains shut down, Golden Corral restaurants are only serving to-go orders.

Now it’s just waiting to see if consumers will ever return to buffet-style dining.