Consumer
Starbucks Reverses Policy That Welcomed Non-Paying Customers
- Company had allowed anyone to use its spaces since 2018
- The chain also expands free refills to non-rewards members
The new rules represent a pivot from a policy set in 2018 that allowed anyone to linger in cafes.
Photographer: Gabby Jones/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Starbucks Corp. reversed a policy allowing anyone — even those who hadn’t purchased anything — to use its cafes, patios and restrooms, with the company saying it’s making the change to prioritize customers.
The company issued a new code of conduct as part of its plan to win back consumers, Starbucks said in an emailed statement. It’s the latest part of Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol’s plan to make Starbucks locations more appealing and less frenetic.