A sign posted in the window at 3685 Fifth Avenue directs diners to the chain’s North Park location, offering no further explanation for the closure. The Hillcrest outpost opened in late 2021 inside the former Tractor Room space, a beloved local fixture whose departure sparked sentiment among longtime residents.
The closure is the latest in a growing string of shutdowns for the once-rapidly expanding breakfast empire helmed by Johan Engman. Over the past two years, multiple Rise & Shine ventures have shuttered -including Breakfast Republic locations in La Jolla and Carmel Valley, the Fig Tree Café in Mission Valley, a rebranding in East Village, and a string of earlier closures like El Jardin, Como Ceviche, and the short-lived Breakfast Company flagship in North Park.
While Engman has built a reputation for aggressive expansion - growing Breakfast Republic to nearly 20 locations across Southern California - his track record has become increasingly defined by instability. Despite praise from outlets like the New York Times and Michelin Guide for now-defunct concepts, several Rise & Shine restaurants have closed within months or just a few years of opening. Even high-profile projects backed by press and capital have failed to achieve long-term success.
Recent closures have been attributed to rising operating costs and shifting consumer patterns, but they’ve also fueled criticism of the group’s overextension and inconsistent execution. The Hillcrest location’s demise adds to mounting questions about the sustainability of Engman’s model - one that seems more focused on branding and rapid rollouts than long-term community investment. That scrutiny intensified last year when the Breakfast Republic Pacific Beach location was temporarily shut down by county health officials due to serious violations, including a major vermin issue.
Rise & Shine’s website still touts its growing portfolio, but with a handful of closures since 2023 and no new branches announced, the company appears to be in retreat. For many locals, the loss of yet another neighborhood location feels less like the end of an era and more like confirmation of a pattern. As of publication, no official statement has been released by Rise & Shine Hospitality Group regarding the Hillcrest closure.
Whether this is part of a broader realignment or a sign of deeper operational challenges remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the shine is fading from San Diego’s once-fastest-growing brunch brand.