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Starbucks is set to roll out a new policy requiring customers to make a purchase if they wish to linger in its cafes or use its bathrooms. The updated code of conduct, which applies to North American locations, goes into effect on January 27 and marks a significant shift from the coffee giant’s long-standing open-access policy introduced in 2018.
The decision comes after feedback from employees, who expressed concerns about how the company's spaces are being used. “There is a need to reset expectations for how our spaces should be used, and who uses them,” Starbucks North America President Sara Trilling wrote in a letter to store managers.
This change is part of the broader “Back to Starbucks” strategy led by the company's new CEO, Brian Niccol, who took charge in September. The initiative aims to refocus Starbucks on its core identity as a welcoming space for paying customers while addressing operational challenges raised by its staff.
The 2018 open-access policy, implemented in response to a controversial incident involving racial discrimination, allowed anyone to use Starbucks’ facilities without needing to make a purchase. While the policy aimed to create a more inclusive environment, it also led to operational and safety concerns that the company says it is now addressing with the revised rules.
Starbucks will post the updated code of conduct in all its stores later this month, ensuring customers are aware of the change.
Meanwhile, the company’s stock has remained relatively stable, closing at $93.51 on Monday, up 1.4% for the day and nearly 2% over the past year.
For customers, this marks a return to a more traditional cafe model, where making a purchase is a prerequisite for enjoying Starbucks’ spaces—a move the company hopes will strike a balance between inclusivity and the needs of its employees.
Source: Investopedia
