Last San Francisco Denny’s closes due to crime, ‘tremendous’ business costs, report says

SAN FRANCISCO (TND) — The last remaining Denny’s restaurant in San Francisco closed earlier this month due to high operating costs brought on by crime, according to a report by the San Francisco Gate .

The former owner of the restaurant, Chris Haque, told the outlet he closed his diner on Aug. 1 after nearly 25 years of business. The location is listed as permanently closed on Google.

We’re the only store left, and we operated until the last day that we could,” Haque said. “The cost of doing business is tremendous. There’s vandalism, and people come and eat and walk away, and there’s no one to stop them.”

People dining and dashing reportedly cut into the restaurant’s profit margins. Haque also depended on conventions for some business, according to the outlet. The San Francisco Business Times in February found that Samsung, Workday and Twilio were among some companies that canceled their events for this year at the Moscone Convention Center.

Several companies have pointed to crime in the Bay Area recently as a reason for closing their stores. Last September, a Target in San Francisco announced it was shutting down because theft was harming the store’s business.

“We cannot continue operating these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance,” the retailer said in a statement, adding that the company can only be successful if the working and shopping environment is safe.

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In May 2023, a Whole Foods location at the base of a high-rise near downtown closed for safety concerns, according to the San Francisco Standard.

“We are closing our Trinity location only for the time being,” a company spokesperson told the outlet at the time. “If we feel we can ensure the safety of our team members in the store, we will evaluate a reopening of our Trinity location.”

The location still remains closed.

When an area Macy’s announced it was shuttering earlier this year, Mayor London Breed told ABC 7 Bay Area that the company’s decision had nothing to do with crime. She released a statement suggesting issues with tax laws were to blame.

“Change is happening in San Francisco, and that change can be positive if we channel it to the benefit of San Franciscans. This is why it’s so important we continue to make law changes at local and state levels, and that we reform our tax laws to recruit and retain businesses,” Breed said.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.