Starbucks CEO: "Do Customers Come to Use Restrooms?... May Restrict Access to Customers Only"

Starbucks in the United States is considering a policy to restrict restroom use to customers only. Photo by Pixabay

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] It has been confirmed that the American company Starbucks is considering a plan to restrict restroom use in stores to customers only.

On the 10th (local time), according to The Washington Post (WP), Howard Schultz, the interim CEO of Starbucks, said at The New York Times DealBook Policy Forum the day before, "There are people using our stores as public restrooms," and added, "There are safety issues in our stores."

He continued, "We need to protect our stores and provide safety to people," and said, "It is questionable whether we can continue to keep the restrooms open."

CEO Schultz explained that as mental health issues increase socially, they threaten the company's employees and customers, and that the current policy makes it difficult to manage the stores.

He also pointed out the government's response as a problem and emphasized that companies are stepping in to solve the issue instead.

Meanwhile, Starbucks has been implementing a 'full store access' policy.

In 2018, two Black customers requested to use the restroom at a Starbucks store in Philadelphia, USA, but were denied. Subsequently, those sitting without ordering drinks were reported by employees and removed from the store.

This incident sparked criticism of racial discrimination and led to a Starbucks boycott movement, prompting Starbucks to announce a policy to fully open restrooms to anyone regardless of whether they order or not.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.