Here’s what will be banned from now on?

Starbucks introduces a series of NEW RULES for guests: Here’s what will be banned from now on?

Starbucks is ending its open-door policy after nearly seven years, now requiring people to make a purchase if they want to spend time in its coffee shops or use the restrooms.

The coffee shop giant said on Monday that the new code of conduct – which will be displayed in all North American stores owned by the company – will also prohibit discrimination or harassment, consumption of alcohol brought in from outside, smoking, use of e-cigarettes, drug use and begging.

The new rules repeal the open-door policy introduced in 2018, after two African-American men were arrested at a Starbucks in Philadelphia, where they had come for a business meeting. The incident at that particular store, which had a policy of requiring customers who didn’t buy anything to leave, was caught on video and was a huge blow to the company’s reputation.

The change also comes under the new leadership of Brian Nicol, who moved from Chipotle last year to revitalize the struggling coffee shop chain. Nicholl vowed to make Starbucks coffee shops “places that invite lingering,” with the goal of making the chain once again “the nation’s shared coffee shop.”

Starbucks spokeswoman Jacci Anderson said the new rules are designed to prioritize paying customers. Anderson added that most other retailers already have similar policies.

“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” Anderson said. “By setting clear expectations about behavior and the use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone.”

According to a company statement, Starbucks understands that patrons may need to use the restroom or connect to Wi-Fi before making a purchase at checkout. The goal of the new rules is to make their locations more attractive, prioritizing customers, according to the company.

Actions can call the police

The code of conduct warns that violators will be asked to leave the premises and states that the store can call the police, if necessary. Starbucks said employees will undergo training to implement the new policy.

At the time of the 2018 incident, Starbucks president Howard Schultz said he didn’t want people to feel “less valuable” if they were denied access. “We don’t want to become a public toilet, but we will always make the right decision and give people access,” Schultz said.

Starbucks, Starbaks (Freepik)

However, since then, employees and customers have had problems with inappropriate and even dangerous behavior in cafes. In 2022, Starbucks closed 16 cafeterias across the country — including six in Los Angeles and six in its hometown of Seattle — due to repeated safety issues, including drug abuse and other disruptive behaviors that put staff at risk.

Since the pandemic that shut down the economy in early 2020, mental health problems, drug abuse, and homelessness have further increased.

Source: BIZLife/M.S.

Photo: Freepik/Unsplash