What a 116-year-old Chinatown Icon Can Teach Us about Business Exit Planning

In the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown stood Sam Wo, a 116-year-old icon known for rice rolls, sass, and late-night chaos. But in 2012, health violations and years of neglect forced its closure. Legacy wasn’t enough—there was no buyer, no plan, no roadmap. It nearly lost everything. The lesson? Even beloved businesses crumble without an exit strategy.