Starbucks announced its plan to reverse its bathroom policy on free bathroom usage as part of its new code of conduct on Monday (January 13).

The popular coffee chain is prohibiting bathroom usage without purchase, as well as banning discrimination or harassment, consumption of outside alcohol, smoking, vaping, drug use and panhandling in all company-owned North American locations. Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said the new rules intended to prioritize paying customers and fell along similar guidelines to most other retailers in a statement obtained by the New York Post.

“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” Anderson said. “By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone.”

Violators of the new code of conduct will be asked to leave the store, which may then contact law enforcement if necessary. Starbucks confirmed that employees would receive proper training on how to enforce the new policy.

The coffee chain previously had an open-door policy implemented in 2018 after two Black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks where they had met to conduct a business meeting but hadn't purchased any items. The store had an individual policy asking non-paying customers to leave and video footage of the arrest resulted in embarrassment for the company.

Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz said he didn't want people to feel "less than" if they were refused access for not purchasing items at the time of the incident.

“We don’t want to become a public bathroom, but we’re going to make the right decision a hundred percent of the time and give people the key,” Schultz said via the New York Post.

Starbucks has, however, dealt with incidents of unruly and dangerous behavior since the incident, which included closing 16 stores nationwide for repeated safety issues including drug use and other behaviors that threatened employees.

Marcella Jones