An open door policy sounds great in theory—it’s about accessibility, inclusivity, and creating a space where anyone is welcome
In practice? It’s a whole different story, as Starbucks just reminded us.
The coffee giant, once proud to let anyone pop in for a bathroom break or a Wi-Fi session without buying a single drip of coffee, has officially shut the door on that idea.
No more free-for-all restrooms or leisurely hangs for non-paying customers. Instead, Starbucks is rolling out a stricter set of rules designed to put paying patrons and staff at the forefront.
But let’s backtrack. The open door policy wasn’t always a Starbucks staple. It emerged in 2018 after a headline-making debacle in Philadelphia, where two Black men were arrested for simply waiting for a friend in one of its cafes.
The backlash was swift, and the company’s response—granting public access to its spaces—was lauded as a move toward inclusivity. It wasn’t just coffee culture; it was community-building, or so it seemed.
Fast forward to today, and Starbucks is walking back its promise. The policy is being retired as the company wrestles with the realities of being America’s unofficial public restroom.
Employees have faced growing challenges, from overcrowding to safety concerns, while customers have found their cafe experience less about sipping lattes and more about navigating packed spaces.
The new rules, part of CEO Brian Niccol’s vision for a more focused and profitable Starbucks, aim to create what the company calls “a better environment for everyone.” Translation: If you’re not buying coffee, don’t expect to stay.
The change highlights a bigger issue—the U.S.’s glaring lack of public restrooms and communal spaces. Starbucks and similar chains have filled that gap, often reluctantly, but it’s come at a cost.
Historian Bryant Simon, who has studied Starbucks extensively, puts it plainly: “The company has benefited from the absence of public infrastructure, but it’s also been burned by it.”
For customers, the updated code of conduct comes with perks to keep things friendly, like free refills for in-store orders served in reusable cups.
It’s a small nudge to get people to stick around—for the coffee, not just the convenience.
So, what is an open door? At Starbucks, it’s no longer a metaphor for community or inclusivity. It’s just a door—and these days, you’ll need to buy a latte to walk through it.