Sweet Maple SFO Lease Terminated

Sweet Maple's SFO location in Terminal 2 will close its doors in early fall, concluding an eight-year run. Airport spokesperson Doug Yakel cited consistent financial underperformance compared to other dining options as the primary reason for lease termination approval. The space is slated for a new news and retail market expected to open early next year.

Airport officials also noted that the space originally intended for the news and retail market could potentially be used for a future passenger lounge. However, this plan is contingent on the American Express Centurion Lounge's current occupancy, which will continue for another two years before relocating back to Terminal 3. The lease termination resolution advanced with a recommendation for approval from the Board of Supervisors Budget and Finance Committee.

Sweet Maple co-owner Hoyul Steven Choi stated he has no ownership in the SFO eatery but licensed the name to SSP America. He viewed the closure as beneficial, preventing further financial losses for SSP America and addressing the consistently low customer reviews, which contrasted with his other restaurants. The SFO location holds 2.6 stars on Google and 3 stars on Yelp, with complaints often referencing high prices, such as a $24 breakfast burrito, alongside food quality and service issues.

Despite the SFO closure, Sweet Maple continues to operate in several other California locations, including Lower Pacific Heights, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Walnut Creek, and Santa Monica. Meanwhile, Choi's other concept, Kitchen Story, closed its San Francisco location earlier this year. He has since opened a new cafe, Jandii Cafe, in San Francisco's Parkside neighborhood, with plans for a second location in the former Kitchen Story space.