Starbucks is implementing a new Code of Conduct that will impact nearly 100 locations across Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, Lafayette, New Orleans, and Shreveport.
Starbucks has been a long-standing '3rd place' for Louisiana folks to meet up with friends and work-related clients or crack open their laptops and camp out for a while before heading home.
As of Monday, Starbucks will be implementing a new code of conduct in an effort to improve the customer experience and keep their employees safe. As CEO Brian Niccol's explains, this 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."
The company hopes that "by setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone."
Starbucks implemented an open-door policy in 2018 after a PR nightmare where two black men were arrested while waiting for a friend at a Philadelphia location.
Now, the coffee chain has reversed this policy due to a 'growing mental health issue' that has consistently put its employees and paying customers at risk, according to CNN.
We want to ensure our spaces are prioritized for use by our customers. Our Coffeehouse Code of Conduct is something most retailers have and is designed to provide clarity that our spaces - including our cafes, patios and restrooms - are for use by customers and partners.
Starbucks has plans to improve the cafe experience in hopes that customers hang around instead of ordering to go by deterring unhomed people from using them as shelters. To incentivize customers to stay a while, starting January 27, all customers can get one free hot or iced coffee refill in a ceramic mug or reusable glasses. This only applied to loyalty program members in the past.
Unfortunately, fast-food chains and coffee shops have had to fill the gap due to decreased public restrooms.
As a result of this, 16 stores were shut down due to safety concerns.