Starbucks Shuts Its Doors: New Policies Change the Cost of Your Cafe Hangout

Starbucks is reinstating a purchase requirement for customers who wish to use its restrooms or relax in its stores. This development follows a broader initiative by the company’s new chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, aimed at boosting declining sales.

The coffee chain announced a new code of conduct on Monday, which will be prominently displayed in all company-owned North American locations. This policy marks a shift from the liberal access model adopted in 2018, which encouraged individuals to enter without mandatory purchases.

Spokesperson Jaci Anderson emphasized that the updated guidelines prioritize paying customers. She noted that many retailers already enforce similar practices. “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.”

The new code explicitly forbids activities such as discrimination, harassment, consumption of outside alcohol, smoking, drug use, and panhandling. Those who violate the rules may be asked to leave, and store employees have the authority to involve law enforcement if necessary. Training for employees on how to implement this policy is forthcoming.

This decision reverses the open-door policy established after a controversial incident in Philadelphia where two Black men were arrested while waiting for a business meeting. The backlash from that incident prompted former chairman Howard Schultz to remark on the need for inclusivity, stating he didn’t want anyone to feel “less than.”

However, since then, there have been increasing reports of unruly behavior among customers in stores. In 2022, Starbucks closed 16 locations due to safety concerns, including instances of drug use and other disruptive actions that endangered staff.

Under Niccol’s leadership, the company aims to revitalize its image as a community coffeehouse rather than losing itself to operational challenges. Niccol’s goal is to restore the comforting atmosphere that Starbucks once embodied, countering the disruptive dynamics that have emerged in recent years.