Why hanging out at Starbucks could soon start costing you

• Starbucks said later this month that it will begin requiring purchases to hang out at the company’s cafes or use its bathrooms.

• The company said it has heard from employees that “there is a need to reset expectations for how our space should be used.”

• The move is part of the “Back to Starbucks” strategy implemented by new CEO Brian Niccol.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) will soon require customers to make a purchase if they want to spend time in the company’s coffee shops or use its bathrooms.

That’s according to a new code of conduct for its North American locations that will take effect later this month, a Starbucks spokesman said. Investopedia. The decision to limit bathroom access to paying customers changes a Starbucks policy that has been in place since 2018.

The company has heard from employees that “there is a need to reset expectations about how our premises should be used and who uses them,” Starbucks North America President Sara Trilling said in a letter to store managers.

The move is part of “Back to Starbucks” strategy implemented by new CEO Brian Niccol, who took over the reins of the coffee chain in September. The new code of conduct will come into force on 27 January and will be published in all stores, says a spokesman.

Starbucks shares were little changed in extended trading after climbing 1.4% higher to $93.51 on Monday. They are up close to 2% over the past 12 months.

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