Johan Engman, a Swedish native, first entered San Diego’s breakfast scene in 2008 with the opening of Fig Tree Café in Pacific Beach. Over the years, his Rise & Shine group expanded rapidly, with its most notable success being Breakfast Republic, which launched in North Park in 2015 and has since grown to nearly 20 locations across Southern California.
However, this rapid expansion has not come without challenges. Earlier this fall, the group closed its Breakfast Republic location in Carmel Valley’s The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch after nearly a decade in operation. The Pacific Beach Breakfast Republic also faced a temporary shutdown last month due to multiple health violations, including a "major" vermin issue.
Engman's other ventures have experienced similarly mixed outcomes. His Breakfast Company concept, introduced in North Park in 2019, closed its flagship location within a year, although other branches like Gaslamp Breakfast Company and Mission Valley Breakfast Company remain operational. The group has also seen closures of Fig Tree Café locations, including a Hillcrest branch that shuttered in earlier years and the East Village location, which closed in November.
Rise & Shine Hospitality Group has also had some short-lived concepts. Como Ceviche only lasted a few months in San Diego's East Village. Despite a public relations-fueled hype campaign that included a glowing New York Time's review, a James Beard nod, and Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recognition, the group's upscale Mexican restaurant, El Jardin, will lasted only a little over a year in business in Liberty Station.
The Mission Valley branch of Fig Tree Café at 7710 Hazard Center Drive is now set to permanently close on Sunday, December 15 after less than two years in business. Unlike the East Village location, which is being rebranded into a new brunch-style concept named 6th & G, there are no such plans for Mission Valley. For now, Fig Tree Café continues to operate in Liberty Station and its original Pacific Beach location.
For more information, visit riseandshinerg.com.
Originally published on December 12, 2024.
