Starbucks changes open bathroom policy

Popular coffee chain Starbucks is putting the kibosh on its open-door policy and will now only welcome paying customers to hang out and use the restrooms in its stores.

In a letter addressed to store managers and above, provided by the company to Fox News Digital, Starbucks executive vice president and president of Starbucks North America Sara Trilling noted, “we are establishing a new code of conduct that will be displayed in every store. This is common practice and makes it clear that our premises, including our cafes, terraces and toilets, are for the use of paying customers and our partners.”

The coffee company‘s limiting the use of its facilities to paying customers represents an about-face from its previous policy.

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A sign with the Starbucks logo hangs near the entrance to the Starbucks coffee shop in Aspen, Colo. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

In 2018, the company stated, “Any customer is welcome to use Starbucks locations, including our restrooms, cafes and patios, regardless of whether they are making a purchase.”

The code of conduct — which states that Starbucks seats are accessible to employees and customers — prohibits panhandling, smoking, vaping, drugs, consuming “non-alcohol” and engaging in “violence or abusive/threatening language,” “discrimination or harassment,” “abuse or disturbance of our space.”

Starbucks notes that it will ask violators to leave the rules, and warns that it may request assistance from law enforcement.

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The rules largely reflect the standards contained in a 2020 post on the Starbucks website entitled “Using the Third Place Policy”, which states that “Sleeping, smoking, consumption of alcohol, drug use, or improper use of restrooms is not permitted” and “Obscene, harassing, abusive language, hate speech, racial slurs, gestures or actions are unacceptable.”

“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores. Implementing a Coffeehouse Code of Conduct is something most retailers already have and is a practical step that helps us prioritize our paying customers who want to sit and enjoy our cafes or need to use the restroom during their visit,” a Starbucks spokesperson noted in a statement to Fox News Digital.

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Starbucks coffee cup is seen in this illustration photo taken at the cafe in Manama, Bahrain on March 5, 2024. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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“This means our cafes, terraces and toilets are for customers and partners. By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone. These updates are part of a wider set of changes, we’re making to improve the cafe experience as we work to get back to Starbucks,” the statement added.