There was an overnight break-in at The Friendly's original San Diego location that resulted in eight officers arriving ready for action.
As it turns out, the dramatic response was fueled by an abundance of caution rather than an active threat. Authorities were initially told a person might still be on the premises, prompting a full sweep of the building. That report ultimately proved unfounded, and officers quickly confirmed the restaurant was empty.
The actual damage was minimal. The incident appears to have been a smash-and-grab that resulted in a broken door and the loss of a Bluetooth speaker, nothing more according to a representative of the restaurant. No one was injured, nothing else was taken, and the situation was resolved without further incident.
Despite the broken glass and flashing lights, the popular burger and pizza spot didn’t miss a beat. The Friendly remains open during normal business hours, with the door repaired and the missing speaker replaced shortly after. In other words, business as usual, just another reminder that even San Diego’s most beloved comfort-food institutions aren’t immune to the occasional overnight misadventure.
"We are grateful to our community for calling the cops for us and looking out for us," commented a representative of The Friendly. "Hopefully everyone comes in for the special today."
The Friendly’s original location is at 4591 30th Street in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood. The restaurant also operates locations on University Avenue in North Park and in Kearny Mesa. For more information, follow @thefriendlysd on Instagram.
Originally published on January 26, 2026.
