Philz Coffee makes stunning decision after uproar over Pride flag removal

Philz Coffee has lamented to the bitter backlash after its decision to roast the rainbow flag from its stores.

The San Francisco-based coffee chain has made a stunning U-turn after brewing up backlash over plans to remove pride flags from its cafes — now saying the colorful symbols will stay put after all.

The coffee house confirmed Friday that Pride flags will remain on display following criticism from customers, workers and LGBTQ advocates, according to NBC Bay Area.

“I made a mistake, and I am sincerely sorry,” CEO Mahesh Sadarangani said in a statement, apologizing to staff, customers and LGBTQIA+ community for confusion sparked by an earlier effort to standardize the decor.

“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,” Sadarangani added, noting he met with San Francisco Pride leaders Suzanne Ford and Jupiter Peraza to discuss the controversy.

The reversal comes after a wave of criticism and an online petition urging the company to keep the flags — a push that included Philz workers themselves.

As previously reported by the California Post, Philz initlially faced fierce blowback after annoucing the plans to switch up decor in favor of a more “consistent, inclusive experience” across stores — a move critics argued sent the wrong message during a poltiically charged moemnt for LGBTQ issues.

The company’s walk-back marks the latest example of brands scrambling to respond to customer pressure when corporate policy clashes with identity-driven symbolism.

“If a pride flag came down, it can be put back up,” Sadaranganis said.

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