Last Denny’s Closes Amid Rising Crime and Declining Business in San Francisco

Denny's Diner LogoPhoto byAndreas Praefcke

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - San Francisco has bid farewell to its last Denny’s restaurant, which closed its doors earlier this month. The iconic diner, situated on Mission Street near Union Square, served its final customers on August 1 after 25 years of operation.

The closure marks the end of Denny’s presence in the city, following a series of challenges faced by the franchise. Franchise owner Chris Haque cites rising crime rates, including incidents of diners eating and leaving without paying, significantly contributed to the decision to shut down. Haque also cited vandalism and the broader business environment as factors.

The decline in convention traffic in San Francisco in recent years also impacted the restaurant’s foot traffic and revenue, further compounding the challenges faced by the business.

This closure follows an earlier Denny’s shutdown in Oakland earlier this year. That location, situated on Hegenberger Road, was also affected by high crime rates, which have prompted other businesses, including In-N-Out Burger, to reevaluate their operations in the area.

Despite these closures, Denny’s continues to operate 40 locations across the Bay Area, maintaining a presence in the region despite the recent setbacks.