Starbucks China Begins Requiring Purchases in Order to Use Seating – CoffeeTalk

Starbucks has announced a new policy requiring customers to make a purchase in order to occupy seating in its over 8,000 locations across China. This decision, set to take effect this Thursday, aims to address issues stemming from non-paying customers occupying tables for extended periods. Starbucks China has confirmed that notices will be displayed to inform patrons, and employees will be instructed to enforce this rule with flexibility, especially for individuals such as pregnant women or those with reduced mobility.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among consumers. Some support the policy, arguing that seating should be reserved for paying customers, while others believe it undermines the brand’s image and limits the social function that coffee shops traditionally serve. Past incidents in 2024, where customers were asked to leave a coffee shop in Xi’an for not purchasing anything, along with a 2025 case in Tianjin that rescinded similar requirements due to backlash, highlight ongoing tensions surrounding this issue. In a more drastic measure, a coffee shop in Nanchong had to chain its outdoor seating to prevent excessive occupation by non-paying patrons.

The new seating requirement mirrors actions taken in Starbucks’ locations in the United States and Canada, where, starting in January 2025, a purchase was mandated to use facilities, including restrooms. This shift followed an open-access policy established in 2018, after a controversial incident involving the arrest of two Black men in Philadelphia.

This regulation fuels ongoing discussions about the concept of the “third place,” a term Starbucks has historically used to market its shops as social hubs distinct from home and work environments. As of late September, Starbucks operates 8,342 outlets in China, where it is increasingly competing with local brands that offer more affordable prices. Additionally, in April 2025, Starbucks finalized a partnership with investment firm Boyu Capital to enhance its operations within the Chinese market.

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