Starbucks Tightens Policy on Store Access, Reversing 2018 Open-Door Rule

[Social Media]

 

Starbucks has announced a significant shift in its store policy, reversing a six-year-old open-door approach that allowed anyone to use its facilities without making a purchase. The updated rules, revealed on January 13, prioritize paying customers and aim to create a safer and more comfortable environment within its North American locations.  

 

The new code of conduct, set to be posted in all company-owned stores, prohibits individuals from using restrooms or loitering without making a purchase. Violators will be asked to leave, and in some cases, law enforcement may be contacted. Starbucks employees will undergo training to enforce these new guidelines effectively.  

 

In addition to limiting access to non-paying visitors, the updated policy includes a ban on discrimination, harassment, smoking, vaping, outside alcohol consumption, drug use, and panhandling. Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson emphasized that these changes align with the practices of most other retailers. “We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” Anderson stated. “By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone.”  

 

This policy marks a departure from the company’s 2018 decision to allow unrestricted public access to its stores. That change was implemented following a widely publicized incident in Philadelphia, where two Black men were arrested while waiting for a business meeting at a Starbucks. They had not made a purchase, and the store’s policy at the time required non-paying visitors to leave. The incident, captured on video, sparked national outrage and led to apologies from Starbucks and its then-chairman, Howard Schultz.  

 

Reflecting on the 2018 decision, Schultz had said, “We don’t want to become a public bathroom, but we’re going to make the right decision a hundred percent of the time and give people the key.” Despite the intention to foster inclusivity, the open-door policy introduced challenges, including reports of disruptive and unsafe behavior in some stores.  

 

The current CEO, Brian Niccol, has expressed a commitment to revitalizing Starbucks as a welcoming and functional space for customers. In an open letter, Niccol noted a “shared sense that we have drifted from our core” during discussions with employees and customers. He emphasized the importance of restoring Starbucks as a gathering place while improving operational efficiency, particularly during high-traffic periods like the morning rush.  

 

This policy update underscores Starbucks’ efforts to balance inclusivity with the needs of its paying customers and employees, signaling a new chapter for the iconic coffee brand.

 

Based on a report by The Independent 2024-01-16

 

 

[georgegeorgia]

Absolutely wrong

The homeless people have no where to wash or go to the toilet 

I hope SB reconsider 

[NanLaew]

22 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Absolutely wrong

The homeless people have no where to wash or go to the toilet 

I hope SB reconsider 

 

Totally agree. This is nothing less than despicable discrimination!

 

Only in North America but.

 

29 minutes ago, Social Media said:

The updated rules, revealed on January 13, prioritize paying customers and aim to create a safer and more comfortable environment within its North American locations.  

 

[scottiejohn]

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Absolutely wrong

The homeless people have no where to wash or go to the toilet 

I hope SB reconsider 

So you think that every shop everywhere should open its doors to everyone and let the "homeless doss down on the shop floors to the detriment of legit shoppers!

Should they also provide free showers and towels?

Where does your largesse stop?

 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, scottiejohn said:

So you think that every shop everywhere should open its doors to everyone and let the "homeless doss down on the shop floors to the detriment of legit shoppers!

Should they also provide free showers and towels?

Where does your largesse stop?

 

Shops everywhere do open their doors.

 

Good luck policing who comes through them.

 

Now if Starbucks want to get behind calls for town/city authorities to provide public toilets, that would be a positive move.

 

 

[JonnyF]

It was a stupid policy that was bound to backfire. What did they think was going to happen? So you spend 10 dollars on a coffee and then there's nowhere to sit because some cheap charlie who walked in off the street has been sat there for 5 hours doing Zoom calls. 

 

Reminds me of the lefty theatre that signalled it's virtue recently by holding a free show "the needy" only for them to refuse to leave, set up camp and now they're going bankrupt. The mugs. 😄

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14282399/French-theatre-bankruptcy-250-African-migrants-refused-leave-remain-building.html

 

[JonnyF]

5 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Absolutely wrong

The homeless people have no where to wash or go to the toilet 

I hope SB reconsider 

 

Starbucks are not a charity.

 

And I'd imagine many customers would not be thrilled sharing a toilet with some bum who has gone in there to find a nice warm spot to shoot up. 

[Ralf001]

3 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

So you think that every shop everywhere should open its doors to everyone and let the "homeless doss down on the shop floors to the detriment of legit shoppers!

Should they also provide free showers and towels?

 

 

Absolutely, yes.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

Starbucks are not a charity.

 

And I'd imagine many customers would not be thrilled sharing a toilet with some bum who has gone in there to find a nice warm spot to shoot up. 

They do provide individual cubicles Jonny.

 

 

[Purdey]

In any country that has no public toilets, preventing access means more people being forced to urinate in the street. 

[DaLa]

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

Now if Starbucks want to get behind calls for town/city authorities to provide public toilets, that would be a positive move.

Unfortunately prostrate problems require me to have access to facilities at all times and I was disgusted to hear that a councillor (or some other representative) of a UK town council stated when questioned about closing facilities locally

 

'there is no legal obligation of us  to provide bathroom facilities'

 

For a supposedly 1st world country I find that appalling. I would have thought that it should be one of the first items on a list of provisions by a local authority. 

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, DaLa said:

Unfortunately prostrate problems require me to have access to facilities at all times and I was disgusted to hear that a councillor (or some other representative) of a UK town council stated when questioned about closing facilities locally

 

'there is no legal obligation of us  to provide bathroom facilities'

 

For a supposedly 1st world country I find that appalling. I would have thought that it should be one of the first items on a list of provisions by a local authority. 

I agree entirely.

[bkk6060]

I would not go their to take a piss, let alone drink their coffee piss.  Would not be surprised if they are closing more stores terrible coffee experience.

[fredwiggy]

They need to think this over. I'm always visiting Starbucks when I'm back home. Did all the time, and will again when I move back. They usually have locks on the bathroom doors that need a code, and they give it to you when asked. I've never been asked if I'm going to buy something as that is rude. They should assume you are and adapt to that. Granted, many people take advantage of all situations, and some ruin it for others because they don't give a <deleted>, but the average customer is going to buy when they go there. Sitting there for hours isn't a problem unless it's a busy time, and then you have to use common sense and care about others.

[georgegeorgia]

6 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

So you think that every shop everywhere should open its doors to everyone and let the "homeless doss down on the shop floors to the detriment of legit shoppers!

Should they also provide free showers and towels?

Where does your largesse stop?

 

Oh perhaps may I ask not to be so heartless 

We need to come to together as a cultural enrichment diverse community 

Perhaps if you could volunteer to help refugees in Scotland it could be a start 

[georgegeorgia]

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

In any country that has no public toilets, preventing access means more people being forced to urinate in the street. 

You only have to look or should I say smell Sydney City in Australia, disgusting dirty smelly City 

[Chomper Higgot]

46 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh perhaps may I ask not to be so heartless 

We need to come to together as a cultural enrichment diverse community 

Perhaps if you could volunteer to help refugees in Scotland it could be a start 

Are you sure you’re posting in the right thread?

[digger70]

12 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Absolutely wrong

The homeless people have no where to wash or go to the toilet 

I hope SB reconsider 

That isn't wrong , Let the Government look after the Homeless by providing Toilets an Showers to the homeless Why doyou think people pay Taxes  ? To take care of it's country people.

[Justanotherone]

would it be that difficult to print a qr code, to be scanned at the toilet, limited access once for 10 min

[CallumWK]

I'm pretty sure their change of policy is not directly directed at people using the bathrooms, but that comes with the rules of course.

As another poster mentioned already, and I know there are posters on this forum that do this, is people who sit for hours working online without ordering a consumption.

It is also clear from the OP what triggered the change of rules. They were not just there using the toilet.

 

This policy marks a departure from the company’s 2018 decision to allow unrestricted public access to its stores. That change was implemented following a widely publicized incident in Philadelphia, where two Black men were arrested while waiting for a business meeting at a Starbucks. They had not made a purchase,

 

 

 

[JulesMad]

I already detest Star<deleted>s immensely, because they sell old dishwater and nothing remotely tasting like coffee. This is just an extra reason to boycott them even more... I hope they go broke!!! ((I know, not likely as too many americans think they sell coffee....))

[scottiejohn]

3 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh perhaps may I ask not to be so heartless 

We need to come to together as a cultural enrichment diverse community 

Perhaps if you could volunteer to help refugees in Scotland it could be a start 

What has Scotland got to do with the OP?

[georgegeorgia]

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

What has Scotland got to do with the OP?

I was just thinking of something funny, if you were at a transexual rights rally you wouldnt have to change dress .

Oh the hysteria , despicable 

 

 

[scottiejohn]

Just now, georgegeorgia said:

I was just thinking of something funny, if you were at a transexual rights rally you wouldnt have to change dress .

Oh the hysteria , despicable 

 

 

What a stupid nonsensical post!

I ask again!  What has Scotland got to do with the OP and why make the stupid second post?

[The Old Bull]

When my dad was in his eighties he would have every piss planned out whenever we went anywhere.

Now I am in my eighties i find myself doing the same thing. If I have to take Starbucks off my piss list then I will just take a different route.

[James105]

1 hour ago, JulesMad said:

I already detest Star<deleted>s immensely, because they sell old dishwater and nothing remotely tasting like coffee. This is just an extra reason to boycott them even more... I hope they go broke!!! ((I know, not likely as too many americans think they sell coffee....))

 

Not allowing people who do not actually buy their products in their stores is unlikely to affect them financially for reasons that are too obvious to describe. 

[bendejo]

I would think that if one quietly slipped in to use the toilet and then left the shop no one would give a toss.  Rules like this for the most part are only enforced when someone is being a nuisance and a bother to the paying customers.  I've seen non-customers hogging all the electrical outlets to charge their gadgets.  It is a place of business, not a homeless shelter.

I don't get what all this carrying on about the quality of their coffee, it is either a joke or some blowhards who are looking for something to say to make them sound cool.  Or these are people who think instant coffee is the good stuff.

 

 

[radiochaser]

On 1/15/2025 at 3:11 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Absolutely wrong

The homeless people have no where to wash or go to the toilet 

I hope SB reconsider 

My wife allowed homeless people to use the restroom in her restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. of A.  

 

Then it was discovered they were injecting illegal drugs while in the restroom!!

[KhunLA]

On 1/16/2025 at 3:11 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Absolutely wrong

The homeless people have no where to wash or go to the toilet 

I hope SB reconsider 

They could actually get a job, and contribute to society.   Park their lazy butts next to a public train or bus station, as they provide public toilets.

 

If the wife gets caught short in between petrol stations when O&A, she'll pop into the closest PoPo station along the highway, if nothing else available.

 

Would imaging the homeless have the same available to them, where ever they are.