Horn and Hardart Automat Vintage Photo

The Legacy

Founded in Philadelphia in 1888, Horn & Hardart became one of the most recognizable names in American dining.

At its peak, there were hundreds of locations across Philadelphia and New York. It was made famous by the Automat — rows of small glass windows filled with fresh food — and the ornate dolphin spouts serving coffee. For generations, it was part of daily life. People stopped in for breakfast on their way to work, met friends over lunch, and returned again and again for food and coffee they could depend on.

The last Horn & Hardart closed in 1991. But it never fully disappeared.

Cup of coffee on a coaster with a book titled 'Automat' on a wooden table.

From Memory to Revival

Decades passed, and Horn & Hardart lived on in memories, passed down to people who had never set foot inside one.

David Arena, Horn & Hardart’s current CEO, was one of them. He never experienced the Automat firsthand, but as he began to dig into its history, he started to wonder if something like it could exist again today.

That question brought together a small group of Automat enthusiasts around a shared belief: Horn & Hardart deserved one more chance.

Why We Started with Coffee

Coffee was always at the heart of Horn & Hardart. It was the first thing served in 1888, brewed fresh, held to a high standard, and returned to every day by millions of people.

It was also simple. No flavors, no fuss, just a really good, dependable cup of coffee.

Starting here felt natural. It allowed us to bring something back that people remembered, while introducing it to those experiencing it for the first time.

It also gave us something just as important: a way to listen. Through Automat Coffee, we’ve been able to understand what people loved, what they missed, and how Horn & Hardart still fits into everyday life.

Pouring Coffee from a Horn and Hardart Dolphin Spout

Built on What Came Before

Everything we do is guided by the history of Horn & Hardart. We study original company documents, recipes, and design archives. We work with people who were part of the original company, people who understand what made it successful and what led to its decline.

This revival is being built carefully, with respect for what made Horn & Hardart matter in the first place.

It started with coffee then, and it starts the same way now.

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