Philz Coffee faces backlash over pride flag removal. Petition from baristas alleges nearly 60 stores were told to remove Pride flags and displays as CEO defends the move. Philz Coffee is facing backlash after directing its shops to remove Pride flags and related decor from in-store displays. A petition launched on Change.org by individuals claiming to be Philz baristas alleges the coffee chain ordered Pride flags removed from nearly 60 stores across California and Illinois, saying the directive has "left many team members and customers feeling confounded and unsupported." "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 states. "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." The petition asks the chain to reconsider its decision and reinstate the Pride flags, which were once a common sight inside many Philz locations, alongside other banners expressing support for movements like Black Lives Matter. It has garnered more than 6,400 verified signatures. CEO Mahesh Sadarangani confirmed in a statement to San Francisco CW affiliate KRON that the chain is pushing for the removal of Pride flags and other decor, but the company's "longstanding support of the LGBTQIA+ community is unchanged." "We are working toward creating a more consistent, inclusive experience across all our stores, including removing a variety of flags and other decor," he said. "This 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." A manager at a San Francisco Philz Coffee shop told KRON that, at a recent company summit, Sadarangani encouraged stores to consider whether in-store displays make all customers feel included, but left decisions up to individual locations. The manager said the message may have been interpreted differently across stores. Some employees at other locations told KRON they have not been asked to remove Pride flags, pointing to a lack of a consistent, centralized policy on in-store displays. It remains unclear what prompted Sadarangani to urge stores to reconsider which flags or banners are displayed. As reported by the LGBTQ news outlet them, people on the San Francisco subreddit claiming to be workers or patrons lambasted the new restrictions on flag displays, speculating whether the move stems from the company's new ownership or efforts to make Philz a more "cookie-cutter" chain with identical decor across locations. The San Francisco-based chain was acquired last August by private equity firm Freeman Spogli for $145 million, with Sadarangani expressing hope the deal would allow Philz to expand and open new locations, as reported by Restaurant Dive at the time. California State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who is running for Congress, posted a video to Instagram criticizing the move, noting that Philz got its start in San Francisco's Mission District. "[Philz] was an amazing small business, great coffee, really cool baristas. And then, unfortunately, got acquired by private equity," Wiener says in the video. "And so now Metro Weekly has this private equity firm coming into San Francisco, and trying to say that its Philz Coffee locations can't have a Pride flag. That is really gross. "It shows, once again, the importance of small businesses that actually know a community, are rooted in a community, and are attuned to that community, as opposed to giant corporations that honestly don't care. We have an atmosphere in this country where the LGBTQ community is under assault, and we need our business community to stand with LGBTQ people. And that means more small businesses, and more small businesses that actually get the community that they're in."

Philz Coffee launches two new drinks for the spring. Starting March 24, the seasonal beverage menu, along with new locally made seasonal pastries, is available for a limited time while supplies last. As always, all Philz drinks are made to order, one cup at a time, with the option to earn and redeem points with Philz Rewards, making each visit a little sweeter March 25, 2026 March 24, 2026 Share your coffee stories with Comunicaffe International by writing to [email protected]. OAKLAND, Calif., USA - Philz Coffee is welcoming spring with new featured drink creations and flavors that celebrate everyday rituals. Leading the seasonal beverage lineup are two new cold brew creations, Caramel Coconut and Salted Butterscotch, featuring rich flavors, perfect for turning any moment into a "little treat" moment. Starting March 24, the seasonal beverage menu, along with new locally made seasonal pastries, is available for a limited time while supplies last. As always, all Philz drinks are made to order, one cup at a time, with the option to earn and redeem points with Philz Rewards, making each visit a little sweeter. * Caramel Coconut is a new featured creation, made with Silken Splendor Cold Brew, creamy coconut, salted caramel, and oat milk. A balance of sweet and toasty, Caramel Coconut is perfect for spring. Caramel Coconut is typically served as a cold brew, but is also available hot. * Salted Butterscotch is another new featured creation made with Silken Splendor Cold Brew, plus butterscotch, oat milk, and sea salt. With nostalgic flavors of brown sugar candy reimagined, Salted Butterscotch is perfectly salty, sweet, and smooth. Salted Butterscotch is typically served as a cold brew, but also available hot. * Silken Splendor Cold Brew is an original Philz blend, being offered as a cold brew for the first time. This medium-roast coffee has notes of toffee, rich chocolate, and a hint of citrus brightness. The blend boasts a super clean finish and silky-smooth texture for a balanced cup. New spring-forward seasonal pastries feature fun flavors like piña colada and blueberry lemon. These, along with other bakery items, are always baked fresh and delivered daily by local bakery partners. * Citrus Kouign Amann, Cherry Almond Coffee Cake, and Twice-Baked Piña Colada Croissant in Northern California stores * Marble Blueberry Lemon Bread and Strawberry Danish in Southern California stores * Apple Pecan Monkey Danish in Chicago stores "At Philz, we've always believed any moment is worth celebrating, whether you made it through the winter or you're just happy it's Tuesday," said Mahesh Sadarangani, CEO of Philz Coffee. "This spring we dreamed up something that feels familiar but totally fresh. Watching customers light up over our seasonal drops never gets old, and honestly, we think these are going to be new favorites." Every drink at Philz Coffee is individually made to order using Philz's signature pour-over method, responsibly-sourced green coffee beans, and clean-label ingredients. Beans are roasted at Philz's roasting facility in Oakland, California. Beverages may be customized with the customer's preference of sweetness level and milk option at no extra charge and are served by baristas who ensure each order is perfect.

Philz Coffee is now open at Eastvale Gateway. Key takeaways. * A new Philz Coffee location is now open at Eastvale Gateway. * The opening adds a high-performing coffee brand to the center's tenant mix. * Eastvale Gateway continues to attract national food and beverage concepts. * The project reflects strong retail demand in the Eastvale market. A new coffee destination at Eastvale Gateway. Philz Coffee is now officially open at Eastvale Gateway, marking another milestone for this growing retail center. Following the earlier announcement of the brand joining the project, the opening delivers a highly anticipated coffee concept to the Eastvale community. The new location is situated within Eastvale Gateway, a retail center designed to serve daily needs while attracting repeat visits. Coffee concepts play a key role in driving consistent traffic, making this opening an important addition to the center. Why Philz Coffee strengthens the tenant mix. Philz Coffee is widely known for its made-to-order brewing process and strong customer loyalty. As a national coffee brand, it performs well in high-visibility retail environments and complements surrounding food and service tenants. Serving a Growing Eastvale Market Eastvale continues to experience steady residential growth, increasing demand for premium food and beverage options. A coffee shop of this caliber supports morning, midday, and weekend traffic, benefiting the overall retail ecosystem. Eastvale Gateway as a retail destination. Eastvale Gateway continues to establish itself as a dynamic retail destination serving both residents and visitors. Successful openings like Philz Coffee demonstrate the center's ability to attract brands that align with community demand and long-term performance. Leasing opportunities at Eastvale Gateway. With strong visibility, traffic flow, and a growing mix of national and regional tenants, Eastvale Gateway offers opportunities for retailers and restaurants seeking a well-positioned location. Brands interested in joining the center are encouraged to connect with the leasing team.