Starbucks Coffee ends its open door policy for its U.S. stores after seven years in practice
January 18 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
People are now required to purchase something from the coffee shop in order to use the restroom or spend time inside. The new code of conduct also bans discrimination or harassment, consumption of alcohol, smoking, vaping, drug use and panhandling. Unfortunately, the open door policy has been abused by many for free WiFi availability and its cozy atmosphere where some enjoy without spending for coffee or other food items.
Starbucks first implemented the open door policy in 2018 after a Philadelphia store manager called the police on two Black men when they didn't order food or drinks. Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson, were arrested for trespassing at the Starbucks in an upscale downtown neighborhood on April 12 while they were waiting to meet a third person for a business meeting. The encounter was caught on video and sparked outrage over racial profiling which led to a discrimination lawsuit and an apology from the former CEO of Starbucks Kevin Johnson. This situation led to the company having an open door policy to avoid further situations like it.
The world's biggest coffee chain says its new code of conduct which also addresses harassment and bans smoking and outside alcohol is intended to make its stores more welcoming for all including families, children and others who need space of their own while enjoying Starbucks’ highly acclaimed organic coffee blends from Ethiopia, Costa Rica and Kano.
In a Jan. 9 statement, the newly appointed CEO, Brian Niccol of starbucks said the company would make changes to lure back customers, lift sales and more. Brian Niccol became CEO in September 2024 after working as the chairman and CEO of Chipotle.
Brian Niccol - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an American multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker at Seattle's Pike Place Market initially as a coffee bean wholesaler. Starbucks was converted into a coffee shop serving espresso-based drinks under the ownership of Howard Schultz, who was chief executive officer from 1986 to 2000 and led the aggressive expansion of the franchise across the West Coast of the United States.
Today, the company has over 36,000 stores in 80 countries, 15,873 of which were located in the United States. Of Starbucks' U.S.-based stores, over 8,900 are company-operated, while the remainder are licensed. It is currently the world's largest coffeehouse chain. The company is ranked 120th on the Fortune 500 and 303rd on the Forbes Global 2000,as of 2022.