Starbucks history
Starbucks opened its first coffee shop in 1971.
Starbucks has announced a major policy change that will require customers to purchase something if they want to stay in the store or use the restroom. Starbucks said the new rules, which will be posted at all of its stores in North America, are also aimed at preventing disruptive behavior and ensuring the safety of its staff and paying customers.
The change reverses the company’s 2018 open-door policy, which was introduced in response to backlash over the arrest of two black men at a Philadelphia store, the Associated Press reported. Starbucks says its updated code of conduct is part of its efforts to create a more welcoming environment for everyone.
What is Starbucks’ new shopping policy?
What we know:
Starbucks’ latest policy requires customers to make a purchase if they wish to remain in the store or use its facilities. Additionally, smoking, e-cigarettes, drug use, handling of goods, and bringing outside alcohol into the store are prohibited.
The company says those who violate its policies will be asked to leave and may be referred to law enforcement if necessary. To help enforce the rules, Starbucks employees will receive training on the new policy.
What we don’t know:
It’s unclear how strictly Starbucks plans to enforce the new rules or what specific scenarios might prompt law enforcement intervention. Starbucks has not provided details on how it will train its employees to handle difficult situations and potential backlash from customers.
What they are saying:
“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” said Jaycee Anderson, a Starbucks spokeswoman. “By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of space, you can create a better environment for everyone.”
Anderson also said the changes are consistent with policies already in place at many other retailers.
FILE – A customer is sitting outside a Starbucks coffee store. (Photo provided by Jung Sung-joon/Getty Images)
Starbucks has clarified that its new Coffeehouse Code of Conduct is not intended to exclude anyone, but rather to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for all customers.
“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores. The introduction of a coffee house code of conduct is something most retailers already have in place, and we want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our cafes. This is a practical step that will help us prioritize paying customers who want to enjoy or use our cafes, patios, and toilets. By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, these updates create a broader set of environments for our customers and partners. “We look forward to enhancing the cafe experience as we work toward our return to Starbucks with the changes we are making,” the company said in a statement.
Why did Starbucks rescind its open door policy?
Back story:
Starbucks introduced its open door policy in 2018 after a high-profile incident in which two black men were arrested while waiting for a business meeting at a Philadelphia store. The incident was caught on video, sparking widespread criticism and prompting then-Chairman Howard Schultz to introduce policies to make stores more inclusive.
However, this policy has raised concerns about employee safety due to reports of drug use and other disruptive behavior. In 2022, Starbucks responded to repeated safety issues, closing 16 stores due to incidents that put staff and customers at risk.
source: This article is based on Associated Press reporting and includes additional context from Starbucks’ public statements.
