Columbus Food Cart Closes After Six Years in Business

The closure of this long-running concept signals a potential shift for operators relying on brewery-based partnership models.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector editorial illustration of an empty metal food cart on a brick patio, reflecting the closure of a local business. — Red Rabbit Ramen has officially ceased operations in Columbus, marking the end of a six-year run for the local food cart. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Red Rabbit Ramen has officially closed its operations, ending a six-year run in the Columbus food scene. The business, which evolved from a ghost kitchen model into a brewery-based cart, ceased operations as of October 13, 2026.

Why it matters

The closure highlights the operational volatility of small-format food concepts that rely on third-party host partnerships. Business owners must weigh the benefits of low-overhead brewery-based cart models against the long-term sustainability of the location and host relationship.

The business operated at its final site at 2112 S. High St. for nine months after transitioning from its original 2020 ghost kitchen model at 1282 Essex Ave. The total duration of the business spanned six years.

The players

Red Rabbit Ramen

A Columbus-based food business that operated as a ghost kitchen and brewery-based cart since 2020.

Honest Friend Brewing

A Columbus brewery that served as the final operational location for the ramen cart.

Blaine Carr and Xavy Perez

The managers who oversaw the food cart's daily operations starting in 2024.

The details

Founded in 2020, Red Rabbit Ramen moved from its initial ghost kitchen facility to a cart on the patio of Honest Friend Brewing in January 2026. This model allowed the business to operate with lower overhead by utilizing the brewery's established customer base. Following the departure of the original founders, the operation was managed by Blaine Carr and Xavy Perez starting in 2024.

2020: Red Rabbit Ramen was founded.
2024: Management of the business transitioned to Blaine Carr and Xavy Perez.
January 2026: The business moved its operations to Honest Friend Brewing.
October 13, 2026: Red Rabbit Ramen announced its closure.

Market Landscape

This closure marks a departure from the rising trend of brewery-based food cart partnerships in the Columbus hospitality sector. The exit of a long-standing local concept demonstrates the instability of shared-space operational models.

Operators currently utilizing shared-space host agreements should audit their lease or service terms for clear exit clauses and partnership renewal triggers. Monitoring the stability of your anchor partner is essential for maintaining consistent revenue streams in low-overhead models.

The takeaway

The end of Red Rabbit Ramen underscores the importance of evaluating the long-term compatibility between a food concept and its host brewery. Owners should track the duration of their host agreements and establish clear benchmarks for location performance to avoid mid-contract service disruptions.