Kis Cafe Permanently Closed After Viral Micro-Influencer Backlash Over Disrespectful Treatment

The swift downfall of San Francisco’s Kis Cafe serves as a stark lesson in the power of social media accountability after its mistreatment of a micro-influencer ignited a firestorm. Bay Area content creator Karla (@itskarlabb) tearfully shared her humiliating experience on TikTok, triggering mass outrage that culminated in the restaurant’s permanent closure within days.

The Incident That Sparked Outrage

Karla arrived at Kis Cafe in October 2023 for a pre-arranged collaboration, invited via Instagram by a staff member. Her positive expectations shattered when co-owner and award-winning chef Luke Sung arrived. According to Karla’s viral TikTok video (October 2023), Sung publicly questioned the host about her follower count—then scrutinized her content at full volume in the dining room. “He said my videos weren’t at the level he wanted his restaurant represented,” Karla recounted. “He told me my audience wasn’t the kind of people he wanted here.” Despite Karla’s professionalism, Sung insisted her 15,000 TikTok followers were “insignificant,” reducing her to tears. She left without sampling the food, later posting: “Don’t let anyone make you feel small or unimportant.”

Internet Justice and Industry Fallout

Karla’s video amassed over 2.5 million views, with commenters universally condemning Sung’s behavior. Influencers like Alex Cooper (host of “Call Her Daddy”) declared, “We, your audience, will never ever be dining at Kis Cafe.” Crucially, Sung’s own daughter—influencer Isa Sung (600k+ followers)—publicly apologized: “I’ll be having a serious conversation with my dad… no one should ever feel disrespected like this” (Instagram comment, October 2023). Within 48 hours, review bombing decimated Kis Cafe’s ratings. The restaurant issued an Instagram statement calling Sung’s actions “unacceptable” and confirming his immediate removal. Sung posted a separate apology: “There are no excuses… I’m stepping away permanently” (Kis Cafe Instagram, October 2023).

Permanent Closure and Broader Implications

Initially announced as a “temporary closure for restructuring,” Kis Cafe’s Instagram profile now states “permanently closed.” Industry analysts note this highlights the critical influence of micro-influencers in local economies. As Karla emphasized: “You don’t need a million followers to make a difference.” The incident underscores how disrespect toward creators—regardless of follower count—can permanently damage reputations. Restaurateurs nationwide now face heightened awareness that ethical collaborations outweigh perceived “prestige,” especially as 72% of consumers trust nano/micro-influencers more than celebrities (Meltwater 2023 report).

This rapid chain reaction—from one creator’s courage to a restaurant’s collapse—proves that in today’s digital landscape, integrity is non-negotiable. Kis Cafe permanently closed not because of Karla’s follower count, but because the internet rallied against dignity violations too common in influencer partnerships. Support ethical businesses by sharing your experiences and holding brands accountable.

Must Know

Q: Why did Kis Cafe shut down?
A: Kis Cafe closed permanently after co-owner Luke Sung publicly humiliated micro-influencer Karla during a collaboration. Viral backlash led to review bombing, Sung’s firing, and unsustainable reputational damage.

Q: What did the influencer do to Kis Cafe?
A: Karla exposed Sung’s behavior in a TikTok video showing him dismissing her 15k followers as “not his audience” and playing her videos at full volume to critique them. She never named the cafe—online sleuths identified it.

Q: How did Luke Sung respond to the backlash?
A: Sung apologized via Kis Cafe’s Instagram, calling his actions inexcusable, and confirmed his permanent departure. His influencer daughter Isa Sung also publicly condemned his behavior.

Q: Are micro-influencers effective for small businesses?
A: Absolutely. Micro-influencers (10k-100k followers) drive 60% higher engagement than macro-influencers (Experticity study) and are crucial for authentic local marketing, as Karla’s loyal following demonstrated.

Q: What lessons should businesses learn from Kis Cafe?
A: Treat every collaborator respectfully regardless of follower count. As Karla stated: “Spotlighting small businesses should be fun.” Ethical partnerships build community—dismissiveness destroys it.