Starbucks has announced a new policy requiring customers to make a purchase if they wish to stay in its cafes or use the bathrooms. This change, part of a broader Code of Conduct, will be implemented later this month across all Starbucks locations, according to a report by The New York Times, based on an email sent to company employees.
What is the new ‘no bathroom’ policy?
The new policy, which applies to the company’s cafes, patios, and bathrooms, mandates that customers must buy something to remain in the store or use the facilities. This shift marks a departure from the company’s previous open-access policy, introduced in 2018, which allowed anyone to use the cafes and bathrooms without making a purchase.
The new guidelines, which will be displayed in all stores, have also set expectations for customer behaviour. Prohibited actions include discrimination, harassment, smoking, and panhandling. Customers violating these rules will be asked to leave, and employees may involve law enforcement if necessary.
Why change the policy now?
This move follows a 2022 statement by then-CEO Howard Schultz, indicating the company was reconsidering its open-bathroom policy. The previous policy had been introduced after a 2018 incident in Philadelphia where two Black men were arrested for sitting in a Starbucks without making a purchase, sparking widespread protests and calls for boycotts.
The policy shift is also part of Starbucks’ broader efforts to address declining sales, falling stock prices, and pressure from activist investors. The decision comes under the leadership of Brian Niccol, who assumed the role of CEO in September last year.