Specialty coffee company closes two San Francisco cafes following landlord disputes

Specialty coffee company Outset Coffee has permanently closed both of its San Francisco locations following prolonged landlord disputes and intensive legal battles. The business shut down its original Mission District cafe situated at 790 Valencia Street alongside its second location positioned at 90 New Montgomery Street in the Financial District.

Court records show that San Francisco Superior Court entered a default judgment totaling $200,196 against Outset Coffee SF 2205 LLC and its parent company, Fuji Inc., in a lawsuit brought forward by its Valencia Street landlord, MW790VALE LP. That financial judgment includes $166,194 in direct damages, alongside accumulated interest, attorney fees, and necessary court costs. Legal filings indicate that rent payments stopped after December 2024, leaving unpaid balances and other charges accumulating throughout the following spring months.

According to the initial complaint filed by the Valencia Street property owner, the cafe had displayed a sign announcing a temporary closure due to staffing adjustments before communication ceased entirely. The landlord formally terminated that commercial lease after serving notices stating that the tenant had abandoned the property.

At the Financial District branch, landlord 90 New Montgomery Partners pursued a separate eviction lawsuit after unpaid rent mounted at the downtown address. Court rulings eventually awarded possession of that commercial space back to the property owners. The San Francisco Sheriff's Office ultimately executed the repossession order for the downtown site after legal proceedings concluded.

Outset Coffee operated as a specialty beverage brand recognized for its Asian-inspired coffee drinks that frequently incorporated real fruit. Representatives for the coffee company have not released official statements or responded to public inquiries regarding the permanent closures or the outstanding financial judgments entered against the corporate entities.