San Francisco chain Philz Coffee will remove Pride flags in its cafes
San Francisco chain Philz Coffee will remove Pride flags in its cafes
Noe Padilla, USA TODAYThu, April 9, 2026 at 11:11 PM UTC
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Philz Coffee, a beloved San Francisco chain that has operated in the city since 2003, is facing backlash from the community over a new policy the company rolled out requiring all of its locations to remove pride flags from their cafes.
The decision comes as the company plans to make its stores "a more consistent" and "inclusive experience" for customers, Philz CEO Mahesh Sadarangani said in a statement to USA TODAY. To achieve this goal, Philz is requiring all of its locations to remove a "variety of flags and other decor."
"At Philz, we have always believed everyone who walks through our doors deserves to feel welcome and safe, and that belief is at the core of everything we do," Sadarangani said in a statement to USA TODAY. "This is a change in how our stores look, not in who we are."
A photo of Philz Coffee location that opened in Aliso Viejo, California in 2025.
In his statement, Sadarangani stated that the company's "longstanding support of the LGBTQIA+ community is unchanged." But a Change.org petition, started by petitioners that call themselves "Philz Coffee Baristas," pushes back against the decision.
USA TODAY reached out to petition organizers, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
"The 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," the petition reads.
"In today's society, businesses have an essential role in fostering inclusivity and support, and displaying the pride flag is a simple yet remarkably powerful demonstration of that role. Removing these flags risks alienating a core group of team members and loyal customers who see Philz not just as a coffee shop, but as a place where they are embraced and celebrated for who they are. "
Petitioners are asking Philz Coffee leadership to reconsider its decision and reaffirm its commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion ideals and to "aligning its values with the community it serves."
This decision comes as President Donald Trump's administration targets history and representation for the LGBTQ+ community, as part of the president's campaign promise to remove symbols that represent diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the federal government.
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1 / 0Supporters gather at Stonewall amid outcry over pride flag removal
People gather in protest at the Stonewall National Monument after the Trump administration had the National Park Service remove the LGBTQ+ Pride flag from the site, which is considered the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, on Feb. 10, 2026, in New York City. The monument recognizes The Stonewall Inn, a legendary Manhattan gay bar that was the site of a 1969 uprising credited as a turning point in the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The decision to take down the flag has drawn backlash from national civil rights groups, LGBTQ+ advocates, and New York officials, and there is currently a plan to reinstall the flag later this week.
In February, the Trump administration removed a large pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in New York City following federal guidance on which flags may be flown at national parks. The pride flag at Stonewall National Monument stood as a symbol of LGBTQ+ resilience.
Sadarangani did not address the petition in his statement, but noted that "our allyship runs deeper than what is on our walls." He highlighted that it's showcased with "who we hire" and with its "annual Pride Month Unity celebration, which returns this June as it has every year."
"Unity is fundamental to how we operate," Sadarangani said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Philz Coffee was purchased by private equity a few years ago
For nearly 20 years, Philz Coffee was a locally owned company, starting with a single storefront in San Francisco's Mission District before expanding to 77 cafes across California.
But in August 2025, the company was acquired by Freeman Spogli, a growth-focused private equity firm headquartered in Los Angeles, which owns other companies like El Pollo Loco, First Watch, Popeyes Chicken and more.
The sale was overseen by Sadarangani, who became the CEO of Philz in 2021.
"This is an exciting new chapter for Philz as we expand and continue our mission to deliver a high-quality, personalized coffee experience to our loyal customers," said Sadarangani at the time of sale.
"Freeman Spogli's deep experience in the consumer and restaurant sectors, along with their collaborative approach, makes them an ideal partner as we look to expand our footprint and continuously improve our offerings. We're proud of the strong foundation we've built and look forward to accelerating our growth together."
Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him at npadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Sign up for the TODAY Californian newsletter or follow us on Facebook at TODAY Californian.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bay Area chain Philz Coffee will remove Pride flags from its cafes
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