Starbucks Ends ‘Open Door’ Policy, Customers Must Buy Something To Stay
Starbucks was known for its “open door” policy where anyone could come in to use the bathroom or general cafe space to work. Now, the company is ending this arrangement and is stating individuals need to make a purchase in order to use the bathroom or utilize the cafe space.
This new code of conduct will be implemented in every US and Canadian shop. In their announcement, the major coffee chain stated:
“Starbucks spaces are for use by our partners and customers – this includes our cafes, patios, and restrooms.”
The world’s largest coffee chain said they’re making these policy changes because they “want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in [their] stores.”
The initial policy of letting people use Starbucks restrooms and cafe spaces regardless of if they made a purchase was enacted in 2018 after two black men were arrested at a branch in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company was accused by the city’s mayor of “exemplifying what racial discrimination looks like in 2018. They also temporarily closed all of their stores to conduct racial sensitivity training, according to reports.
Brian Niccol has been the chief executive of Starbucks since September, and this new code of conduct is just one part of the company’s attempt to combat the falling sales and profits from the fall. They will also be simplifying their “overly complex menu” and selling more affordable drinks.
The new policy will begin on January 27th across the 11,000+ stores in North America. Staff will be receiving three hours of training before this implementation as well.
The new code of conduct says “that there should be no misuse or disruption of our spaces, no harassment or threatening language, no consumption of alcohol brought from elsewhere, and no smoking, vaping or begging,” according to the Guardian.
Niccol said he wanted Starbucks to have a “community house experience where people want to be in Starbucks, spend time in Starbucks.”
The company will also be advertising free iced or hot coffee refills to customers.
“Implementing a coffeehouse code of conduct is something most retailers already have and is a practical step that helps us prioritize our paying customers who want to sit and enjoy our cafes or need to use the restroom during their visit,” a Starbucks spokesperson said.
“This means our cafes, patios, and restrooms are for customers and partners. By setting clear expectations for behaviour and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone. These updates are part of a broader set of changes we are making to enhance the cafe experience as we work to get back to Starbucks.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
