{"id":259559,"date":"2026-04-09T16:12:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/259559\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T16:12:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:12:09","slug":"philz-coffee-removing-pride-flags-from-stores-sparks-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/259559\/","title":{"rendered":"Philz Coffee removing Pride flags from stores sparks backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"

A beloved coffee chain founded in San Francisco is removing Pride flags<\/a> and other flag d\u00e9cor from its stores, the company announced Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Philz\u2019s] longstanding support of the LGBTQIA+ community is unchanged,\u201d Mahesh Sadarangani, who took over as CEO from the founders in 2021, said in a statement. \u201cThis is a change in how our stores look, not in who we are. Our allyship runs deeper than what is on our walls. It shows up in who we hire, how we treat one another, and in our annual Pride Month Unity celebration, which returns this June as it has every year. Unity is fundamental to how we operate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The San Francisco coffee chain is removing all flag decor \u2014 including Pride flags \u2014\u00a0from its stores. Gado via Getty Images<\/p>\n

A petition which has gained 2,300 signatures is demanding the policy be reversed. Gado via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The change became public after a Change.org petition<\/a> \u2014 which has garnered more than 2,300 signatures \u2014 demanded the policy be reversed and urged Philz to \u201cproudly display the Pride flags once again,\u201d the\u00a0San Francisco Chronicle reported.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPhilz Coffee\u2019s recent decision to remove Pride flags from their stores has left many team members and customers feeling confounded and unsupported,\u201d the petition states. \u201cThe Pride flags within the stores hold deep meaning and value to both staff and visitors, symbolizing that these locations are safe and welcoming spaces for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The coffee chain, with more than 60 locations primarily concentrated in California and additional shops in Chicago and other areas, has built a strong following.<\/p>\n

The San Francisco-based company, known for its customized blends and pour-over method, was founded in 2003 by Phil Jaber and his son, Jacob Jaber, in the city\u2019s Mission District<\/a>. The first location opened at 24th and Folsom streets after Phil converted his corner grocery store into a dedicated coffee shop.<\/p>\n

Philz Coffee was acquired last year by private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co. in a deal reportedly valued at $145 million, according to a San Francisco newspaper, though financial details were not publicly disclosed. The firm also owns chains including Popeyes and El Pollo Loco.<\/p>\n

This is not the first time the company has come under scrutiny under Sadarangani\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n

In 2023, during the Israel-Gaza war, some employees were reportedly sent home for wearing \u201cFree Palestine\u201d pins, an incident that contributed to a broader unionization push. Notably, the Jabers, who previously owned the chain, are Palestinian Americans. Following the sale, the company said about 10 former employees who had invested in stock lost the value of their holdings, while current employees at the time of the acquisition received $525 bonuses.<\/p>\n

The removal of the rainbow Pride flag \u2014 a symbol of LGBTQ+ diversity \u2014 marks the company\u2019s latest controversial move.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Philz] was working toward creating a more consistent, inclusive experience across all our stores, including removing a variety of flags and other d\u00e9cor,\u201d Sadarangani said.<\/p>\n

The coffee chain has more than 60 locations primarily in California. Gado via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The chain is known for its customized blends and pour-over method, was founded in 2003 by Phil Jaber and his son. Gado via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The company has not made clear when the flags will be taken down. The California Post has reached out to Philz for further comment, as well as the organizers of the petition.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Reddit users have made their opposition clear. Some also took to commenting on the petition, urging others to sign.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been a regular customer for over a decade. I\u2019m saddened to see this new, out-of-town Texan CEO steamrolling over the values of our local communities in the Bay Area,\u201d one testimonial, written by a user named Franco, read. \u201cDoesn\u2019t seem like good business sense to swoop in and alienate your workers and longtime customers by making politically motivated changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others said the company should make people feel welcome even if they disagree with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should let people feel welcomed in our communities even if we have personal difficulties or differences with them sometimes,\u201d one user wrote.<\/p>\n

One employee noted that many, if not most, employees at Philz are part of the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n

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