Reviving Horn & Hardart: A conversation with “Chief Automat Enthusiast”, David Arena

Q. What made you want to bring back Horn & Hardart?

David: Horn & Hardart has such a rich history and community. It was bought out of bankruptcy in the 90s by a few people from Philadelphia. I met one of them in 2017, and that was my first introduction to H&H. As an entrepreneur and someone who loves history, I was immediately intrigued. By 2023, I pitched the idea to revive not just the coffee, but the entire company, because I firmly believe Horn & Hardart deserves another chance at success.

Q. What difficulties have you faced in reviving H&H?

David: H&H has been dormant for a long time, so we had to start from scratch: tracking down company archives, rebuilding relationships, re-securing trademarks, and doing every other thing associated with starting a company. This isn’t necessarily super exciting stuff, but it is so important and takes time. The Automat is also a complex concept to get right. That’s why we started with coffee: to take the time to lay the groundwork and thoughtfully bring this dream to life.

Q. If you could have dinner with Frank Hardart and Joseph Horn, what would you ask?

David: I'd have so many questions! From Frank, I'd want to hear about his trip to Germany to see the first Automat and why he decided to take the risk and purchase it. From Joseph, I'd want to hear about his experience expanding H&H from one restaurant to over 100. But really, I’d love to hear them talk about everything and anything H&H in their own words – the values, the culture, the pivot points. 

Q. We all want to see an Automat again but will it work today?

David: My vision for the Automat is to honor the original while blending convenience and elegance. I want people to feel the magic of the Automat – the inviting ambiance and the windows filled with food. The ease and self-service offered by the Automat are still very relevant today, and we’re honored to have the chance to bring it back.

Q. Step back in time and pick one thing: rice pudding or coffee from a dolphin spout?

David: I have to pick coffee from a dolphin spout. I cannot wait to make that happen again!