The Denny’s located at 816 Mission St. in San Francisco has permanently closed its doors. The closure was confirmed by franchise owner Chris Haque, who mentioned that the last remaining Denny’s in San Francisco shut down on August 1. By August 12, the Denny’s sign had been painted over, signaling the end of an era for the popular 24-hour diner chain in the city.
Haque cited various reasons for the closure, including the high cost of operating the business in San Francisco. He mentioned issues such as vandalism and customers dining and dashing, which impacted the restaurant’s profitability. Additionally, the lack of conventions in the city over the past few years also contributed to the decline in business for the Mission Street location.
This closure marks the end of an era for Denny’s in San Francisco, as Haque used to own another location in Fisherman’s Wharf that closed in 2019. However, he continues to operate a Denny’s in Tacoma, Washington. Despite his love for the city, Haque believes that San Francisco officials should make it more business-friendly to support local establishments.
In a previous article from December 2022, it was noted that the Mission Street Denny’s was the most expensive Denny’s in all of California. Despite the high prices, the food was described as scrumptious and satisfying by food reporter Nico Madrigal-Yankowski. The closure of the Oakland Denny’s near the Hegenberger Road corridor in January further highlights the challenges faced by Denny’s locations in the Bay Area.
While the closure of the Mission Street Denny’s is a loss for San Francisco residents, there are still many other Denny’s locations in the Bay Area, including in the South Bay, East Bay, and North Bay. As the city continues to evolve and face economic challenges, it remains to be seen how other local businesses will adapt to survive in the changing landscape of San Francisco’s dining scene.