Located at 2730 University Avenue, the North Park Breakfast Republic first opened its doors on July 26, 2015, and quickly became the foundation for restaurateur Johan Engman’s Rise & Shine Hospitality Group. What began as a single quirky brunch spot with bacon-themed décor and boozy pancake flights evolved into a fast-growing regional chain boasting nearly 20 locations across California. But as the empire expanded, so did its problems - ranging from sanitation lapses to concept closures and an increasingly tarnished public reputation.
According to county health inspection reports, the violations at the North Park restaurant included not only a "major" vermin issue but also problems related to water temperature and the maintenance of warewashing facilities. The closure on October 21 follows a similar incident last year, when inspectors ordered Breakfast Republic’s Pacific Beach location closed after uncovering unsanitary conditions and another "major" vermin infestation.
This latest incident underscores a broader pattern within Engman’s operations. Over the past two years, multiple Rise & Shine ventures have shuttered, including Breakfast Republic locations in Hillcrest, Carmel Valley, and La Jolla, as well as the longtime Fig Tree Café in Mission Valley. Other once-touted concepts - such as El Jardin, Como Ceviche, and the short-lived Breakfast Company in North Park - also failed to survive, despite heavy public relations fueled marketing and initial media attention.
While Engman has cultivated an image as one of San Diego’s most ambitious restaurateurs, the rapid expansion of his portfolio has exposed deep cracks in his business model. His aggressive rollout of brands appears to prioritize speed and scale over sustainability and quality control. Health code violations, inconsistent food and service standards, and a steady stream of closures have left many in the local dining community questioning whether the Rise & Shine brand has burned too bright for too long.
Engman’s hospitality group once drew praise from national outlets like The New York Times and James Beard Awards for its creativity and growth, but those accolades now stand in sharp contrast to the company’s current trajectory. What was once hailed as a San Diego brunch success story has devolved into a cautionary tale of overextension, poor oversight, and deteriorating standards.
As of publication, neither Engman nor Rise & Shine Hospitality Group has issued a statement regarding the North Park forced closure. But for many locals, the news comes as no surprise. With repeated health infractions, mounting operational failures, and a string of shuttered restaurants, Breakfast Republic’s latest downfall feels less like an isolated misstep and more like confirmation that the so-called “better breakfast” brand has lost its appetite for accountability.
Engman’s hospitality group once drew praise from national outlets like The New York Times and James Beard Awards for its creativity and growth, but those accolades now stand in sharp contrast to the company’s current trajectory. What was once hailed as a San Diego brunch success story has devolved into a cautionary tale of overextension, poor oversight, and deteriorating standards.
As of publication, neither Engman nor Rise & Shine Hospitality Group has issued a statement regarding the North Park forced closure. But for many locals, the news comes as no surprise. With repeated health infractions, mounting operational failures, and a string of shuttered restaurants, Breakfast Republic’s latest downfall feels less like an isolated misstep and more like confirmation that the so-called “better breakfast” brand has lost its appetite for accountability.
Originally published on October 22, 2025.
