Another iconic Denny’s restaurant has closed its doors for the final time, robbing a California town of the chain’s last branch.
Denny’s has closed more than 70 of its restaurants in the past two years, including 15 this summer alone.
Among the recent closures is the fast-casual chain’s last bastion in San Francisco.
The 24-hour restaurant in the city’s Union Square district operated for 25 years before closing on August 1 as a result of rising crime.
Franchise operator Chris Haque He told the San Francisco Gate The restaurant ‘ran until the last day we could.’
San Francisco has lost its last remaining Denny’s location
The 24-hour restaurant in the city’s Union Square district operated for 25 years.
The location in crime-ridden downtown San Francisco was reportedly plagued by frequent “dine-in and takeout” events, where customers place orders, eat and then leave without paying.
“The cost of doing business is huge. There is vandalism, people come, eat and leave, and there is no one to stop them,” Haque told the publication.
“It’s a beautiful city, we love it, we’ve been there for many years,” Haque said.
“But I think (city officials) should make it more business-friendly.”
The decline in congresses and conventions has also hit business hard, according to Haque.
In-person business conventions plummeted during the pandemic and its aftermath.
Despite improvements in recent years, the figures have not yet recovered.
“We echo Chris Haque’s sentiments that Denny’s loves San Francisco and the Bay Area, and closing a restaurant is never an easy decision,” the company said of the center’s closure.
‘Denny’s offers its sincere thanks to its team members and local community for their love of the Denny’s brand; it has been a pleasure serving them.’
This comes as the popular chain has been closing restaurants across the United States.
Another recent Denny’s closure was the last remaining Denny’s in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Another popular Denny’s store closed in Ashland, Ohio last month.
The location in crime-ridden downtown San Francisco was reportedly plagued by frequent “eat and go” (pictured: a San Francisco Police Department vehicle drives through a homeless encampment)
San Francisco is reeling from rising crime, an empty downtown and residents moving to safer, cheaper areas.
Denny’s has closed more than 70 of its restaurants in the past two years
Robert Verostek, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Denny’s, blamed inflation as a major factor for the closures when he spoke to investors earlier this year.
He noted that the break-even point for a restaurant to remain open had risen from $1 million to $1.2 million due to rising food costs and wages.
In an attempt to attract customers, Denny’s is joining other fast-casual food stores in the value wars.
Restaurants and fast-food chains are increasingly looking to offer value options to attract inflation-weary customers who have cut back on eating out.
Applebee’s has also launched value deals despite also facing massive closures.
In an attempt to appeal to Americans fed up with rising fast food prices, Applebee’s has launched the ‘Whole Lotta Burger’ with fries for $9.99.
The decision to compete with fast-food chains is similar to that of Chilli’s, which also launched a $10.99 burger that is bigger and cheaper than the Big Mac.