San Francisco loses another business to crime

A Denny’s in San Francisco shuttered its doors early this month after operating for nearly 25 years, with reports suggesting that issues like vandalism were behind the restaurant’s closure.

Chris Haque, who according to SFGate was the franchise operator, suggested that instances of patrons eating and failing to pay had taken its toll on his business.

“The cost of doing business is tremendous,” Haque told the publication. “There’s vandalism, and people come and eat and walk away, and there’s no one to stop them.”

Haque also suggested that a decline in conventions in the city had contributed to a reduction in customers for his establishment. SFGate reported that Haque had operated a different Denny’s in the city that halted operations five years ago and owned another one in Tacoma, Washington.

Denny’s corporate office confirmed to Newsweek that the location ceased operations on August 1 but said it does not comment on specifics of its franchise closures.

“There is another location at 10 Airport Boulevard. Closing a restaurant location is never an easy decision. Denny’s offers its heartfelt thanks to the team members and the local community for their love of the Denny’s brand; it has been a pleasure serving you,” the company said in a statement, adding that there are 40 Denny’s locations in the San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose area.

The news of the closure of the restaurant adds to recent reports of businesses in San Francisco, Oakland and the Bay Area that have stopped operating, citing issues like theft as the reason for their shutdowns.

In September, giant retailer Target said it was closing some of its outlets over safety concerns.

“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 company said after announcing the closure of nine stores across four states, including three in San Francisco and Oakland. “We know that our stores serve an important role in their communities, but we can only be successful if the working and shopping environment is safe for all.”

The company did say then that 32 stores remained open in the San Francisco and Oakland market, employing more than 6,400 workers.

Earlier this year, another Denny’s in the Oakland area closed down over safety issues, according to SFGate, after operating for more than half a century.