The latest Denny's closing in San Francisco, the owner cites a rash of “dinner and dash” occurrences.

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

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

As of Aug. 12, the Denny's sign “that used to be California's most expensive” was painted, according to SFGate.

“We're the only store left and we operated until the last day we could,” Haque said. “The cost of doing business is enormous. There are acts of vandalism, people come and eat and leave, and there is no one to stop them.”

Although he still runs a Denny's in Tacoma, Wash., Haque closed a location at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf in 2019. He cited the “eat and run” problem in the latest closing and “noted the lack of conventions in San Francisco over the past few years, on which the restaurant has typically depended for business,” seconds at SFGate.

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

“Closing a restaurant is never an easy decision,” said a Denny's spokesperson KRON. “Denny's offers its sincere thanks to the team members and the local community for their love of the Denny's brand; it was a pleasure to serve you.”

The restaurant at 816 Mission St. it closed just months after another location in Oakland closed after more than half a century.

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

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

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

“An In-N-Out spokesperson previously told SFGATE that customers and employees experienced regular carjackings, property damage and armed robberies. The restaurant was the only In-N-Out location of Oakland,” the outlet reported.

Rising crime, the rising cost of living and other problems have plagued San Francisco in recent years, prompting an exodus of businesses. The departures have left a void and a loss of jobs for the residents.

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

Another hit from @GavinNewsom

— MAGA2024 (@Hunter19302) August 14, 2024

You know it's bad when even Danny's is forced to close.

— Miker (@MikeRTexas) August 14, 2024

SF politicians destroyed the city for business, Newsom destroyed the state for business, and Biden/Harris destroyed the economy for business and customers.

The democratic trifecta!

— Sherri (@SociallySherri) August 13, 2024

Congratulations, liberals of The City, who are made of milk.
Another good business that closes because of your voting habits.

— Dan Knapp (@TheDanKnapp) August 14, 2024

You know the world is ending badly when @DennysDiner take out

I would feel bad, but… San Francisco elected the government they deserve and are reaping the benefits of their election. pic.twitter.com/a5sYQiUvnK

— Christopher McQuade (@McQuadeTX) August 14, 2024

San Francisco's last Denny's is closing due to rampant lunches and boards. Once again for the sunken state of the city. Is this the utopia the Democrats promised? pic.twitter.com/dqwibJp329

— Clown World™ (@ClownWorld_) August 13, 2024

Shut down the entire city at this point

— Ben (@BigBenBusiness) August 13, 2024

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida, where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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