Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy, Restricting Access to Paying Customers

The coffee chain's new code of conduct reverses a 2018 policy, aiming to address safety concerns and declining sales under its new CEO.

Starbucks' updated policy requires customers to make a purchase to use restrooms, seating areas, or patios at all North American locations.
The 2018 open-door policy was introduced after a widely publicized racial bias incident involving the arrest of two Black men in a Philadelphia store.
The company cites safety concerns, including incidents of drug use and violence, as a key factor in reversing the policy.
CEO Brian Niccol, who joined in 2024, is steering the company toward profitability by prioritizing paying customers and revitalizing the brand experience.
The changes have drawn criticism from labor unions and advocates, who argue the new rules may disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.