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Last Denny’s in San Francisco shutting down, owner cites rash of ‘dine and dash’ occurrences

August 14, 2024 | | Print Article

Progressive policies have driven one more business out of San Francisco, with the city’s last remaining Denny’s permanently closing its doors this month.

After 25 years, the 24-hour Denny’s restaurant near Union Square closed as owner Chris Haque said he held on as long as he could. But a combination of crime, vandalism, lack of business, and customers who would frequently eat and leave without paying left Haque with no choice.

As of Aug. 12, the sign for the Denny’s “that was once California’s most expensive” was painted over, according to SFGate.

“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.”

Though he still runs a Denny’s in Tacoma, Washington, Haque closed a location in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf in 2019. He cited the “dining and dashing” problem in the latest closure, and “pointed to the lack of conventions in San Francisco over the past few years, which the restaurant typically depended on for business,” according to SFGate.

“It’s a beautiful city — we love it, we have been there so many years,” Haque said of the City by the Bay. “But I think [city officials] should make it more business-friendly.”

“Closing a restaurant location is never an easy decision,” a Denny’s spokesperson told KRON. “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 diner at 816 Mission St. closed just months after another location in Oakland shut down after more than half a century.

Citing the “safety and well-being” of the restaurant’s customers and employees, that Denny’s closed in January after operating for 54 years at 601 Hegenberger Road.

“Closing a restaurant location is never an easy decision or one taken lightly. However, the safety and well-being of Denny’s team members and valued guests is our top priority,” Denny’s said at the time.

Just one mile away, a busy In-N-Out also closed this year due to crime.

“A spokesperson for In-N-Out previously told SFGATE that customers and employees experienced regular car break-ins, property damage, and armed robberies. The restaurant was Oakland’s only In-N-Out location,” the outlet reported.

Surging crime, skyrocketing cost of living, and other issues have plagued San Francisco in recent years and led to an exodus of businesses. The departures have left a void and a loss of jobs for residents.

Social media users reacted to the end of another era in San Francisco.

Frieda Powers
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