Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy, Limits Facilities to Paying Customers

The coffee giant's new code of conduct reverses a 2018 policy, citing safety concerns and a focus on paying patrons.

Starbucks will now require customers to make a purchase to access restrooms, seating, or other store facilities in its North American locations.
The new policy, effective January 27, 2025, includes a code of conduct banning behaviors such as harassment, drug use, and panhandling.
The reversal follows a 2018 policy change prompted by backlash after the arrest of two Black men in a Philadelphia Starbucks, which was widely seen as discriminatory.
CEO Brian Niccol, appointed in 2024, aims to revitalize the chain by refocusing on its community coffeehouse identity and addressing declining sales.
The decision comes after employee complaints about safety and disruptive behavior, which had led to multiple store closures in recent years.