San Francisco restaurant Kis Cafe permanently closes after influencer incident

Luke Sung, a San Francisco chef, lost his job and restaurant after rejecting an influencer.

Chef faces downfall after rejecting influencer over follower count

Luke Sung, chef of Kis Cafe in San Francisco, has faced severe consequences for telling a TikTok user she was not famous enough to dine for free at his restaurant. This incident began when influencer Karla Marcotte, with about 15,000 followers, attended an event expecting a complimentary meal for her promotion. Upon her arrival, Sung confronted her about her follower count and implied her audience was not the right fit for his establishment. Following Marcotte’s viral TikTok detailing the experience, which garnered over 21 million views, Kis Cafe has permanently closed its doors. The public backlash included poor reviews flooding in on platforms like Yelp, and many celebrities publicly supported Marcotte. In response, Sung issued a formal apology, acknowledging his hurtful behavior and its impact on his staff and family but it was too late for Kis Cafe, which made its closure announcement soon after.

This incident highlights the precarious relationship between influencers and businesses. It shows how a single misstep can lead to significant reputational damage. Sung's comments reveal an elitist mindset, focusing on follower counts rather than customer experience. In the age of social media, businesses that fail to respect their customer base, regardless of follower status, risk backlash that can lead to dire consequences. The wider implications for the restaurant industry suggest a need for adaptability and a deeper understanding of audience dynamics, as social influencers play a crucial role in modern marketing strategies.

Highlights

The fallout from this incident could reshape how restaurants engage with social media influencers.