Starbucks bans consumption of outside food across all stores

In these September 2024 photos, customers at a Starbucks store are seen eating tteokbokki (spicy simmered rice cakes) and deep-fried snacks. The captions read, “I couldn’t believe my eyes” and "Is that really tteokbokki and fried snacks?" According to the uploader, the diners left after a Starbucks employee asked them to leave. Newsis

Starbucks Korea has begun enforcing a nationwide ban on the consumption of outside food at all of its stores, aiming to curb disturbances caused by customers bringing in and eating food from elsewhere.

The company, operated by Shinsegae Group, began posting notices on Monday at its 2,050 stores across Korea saying that all outside food and beverages are prohibited from being consumed inside. Baby food is exempt from the rule.

The move marks the first time the major cafe and dessert chain has implemented such a ban. The company, however, noted that it is not the first time it has made a similar request.

“We previously asked our patrons to refrain from eating ‘foods with strong odors.’ That notice dates back to before the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. However, the warning was rather subjective and somewhat unclear. This time, we are introducing the ban in a much clearer way,” a company official said.

The move follows a series of online posts showing customers eating foods inside Starbucks stores. Viral photos on social media featured dishes such as tteokbokki (spicy simmered rice cakes), instant noodles, gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and fried chicken.

The company has also been addressing issues caused by customers misusing store space and causing inconvenience to others. In August, it began prohibiting patrons from using its cafes as personal “offices” by bringing in items such as desktop computers, printers and extension cords.

The problematic behavior stemmed partly from Starbucks Korea’s operational philosophy, which traditionally encouraged customers to use its stores freely. It had previously allowed outside food and drinks as long as their odors were “tolerable.” The company even promoted its cafes as a “third space” — a place apart from home and the workplace — designed to be comfortable and accessible.

“We still stand by our goal of being a ‘third space’ for our patrons,” the official said. “Our latest ban simply aims to clarify the rules and make our stores more pleasant for everyone.”