Philz Coffee Reverses Decision to Remove Pride Flags

Following public backlash, the coffee chain will keep Pride flags displayed year-round at all locations.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:36pm by

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Philz Coffee, a popular Bay Area coffee chain, faced intense public criticism after reports surfaced that the company planned to remove Pride flags from its 82 stores across California and Chicago. However, the company has now reversed that decision, announcing that the Pride flags will remain up permanently to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Why it matters

The decision to remove the Pride flags sparked outrage, with an online petition accusing the company of going against one of its biggest supporting demographics. Philz Coffee's reversal on this issue demonstrates the importance of visible allyship and inclusion, especially for marginalized communities facing renewed challenges.

The details

Philz Coffee CEO Mahesh Sadarangani initially said the decision to remove the Pride flags was made to create a "consistent, inclusive experience" across all locations. However, after meeting with LGBTQIA+ community leaders Suzanne Ford and Jupiter Peraza, Sadarangani acknowledged his mistake and committed to keeping the Pride flags up permanently.

  • On Friday, April 17, 2026, Philz Coffee announced it would keep the Pride flags displayed at all 82 of its locations.
  • Prior to the announcement, Philz Coffee had faced public backlash and an online petition over the planned removal of the Pride flags.

The players

Mahesh Sadarangani

The CEO of Philz Coffee who initially planned to remove the Pride flags but later reversed the decision.

Suzanne Ford

A trans woman and leader in the LGBTQIA+ community in San Francisco who met with Sadarangani and helped him understand the importance of keeping the Pride flags up.

Jupiter Peraza

A trans woman and leader in the LGBTQIA+ community in San Francisco who met with Sadarangani and helped him understand the importance of keeping the Pride flags up.

Phil Jaber

The founder of Philz Coffee, which was established in San Francisco in 2003.

Freeman Spogli & Co.

The Los Angeles-based private equity firm that acquired Philz Coffee for $145 million in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“I want to be clear about where Philz stands: our Pride flags are staying up. If a Pride flag came down, it can be put back up.”

— Mahesh Sadarangani, CEO, Philz Coffee

“It would mean a lot to see Philz Coffee continue keeping Pride flags up—not just during June, but year-round. Visibility matters, especially in a time when LGBTQ+ communities are facing renewed pushback. Small gestures like this send a clear message about inclusion, safety, and who belongs in your spaces.”

— Petition Signer

“I made a mistake, and I am sincerely sorry. The Pride flag is a symbol of safety and belonging for people who don't always find that in the world, and that is not something I want to take away from anyone who walks into a Philz.”

— Mahesh Sadarangani, CEO, Philz Coffee

What’s next

Philz Coffee plans to keep the Pride flags displayed permanently at all 82 of its locations across California and Chicago.

The takeaway

Philz Coffee's reversal on removing Pride flags demonstrates the power of public pressure and the importance of visible allyship for LGBTQIA+ communities. This decision reinforces Philz's commitment to inclusion and belonging, even in the face of initial missteps.