Starbucks is well-known for its cozy atmosphere, reliable Wi-Fi, and of course, its signature coffee drinks. Many customers treat their local Starbucks as a "third place" – somewhere to socialize, work, and hang out that‘s not their home or office. But what about when you get hungry during your Starbucks visit? Can you bring in a snack or meal from outside, or do you have to purchase food from Starbucks itself? The answer is not as simple as you might think.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Starbucks‘ policies on outside food. We‘ll look at the company‘s official rules, the reasons behind them, and how they play out in real life. As a retail and consumer expert, I‘ll also provide some analysis of how this policy fits into Starbucks‘ overall business strategy. Finally, we‘ll go over some tips for being a considerate customer if you do choose to bring your own food to Starbucks.
The Official Starbucks Policy
Let‘s start by looking at exactly what Starbucks has to say about outside food and drinks. The company‘s official customer service policy, as stated on their website, is as follows:
"You are welcome to bring food items into our stores as long as they are small, pre-packaged items that adhere to the following guidelines:
- Size must not exceed 6 inches wide by 12 inches long
- Must be wrapped securely or in a closed container
- Only a modest, individual-sized portion of food is allowed
- No outside drinks of any kind are permitted
- Purchase of a Starbucks beverage or food item is required"
So in short, outside food is allowed as long as it‘s small, neat, and not a beverage. A small pastry, granola bar, or bag of crackers would likely be fine. A full sandwich, salad, or anything requiring utensils would probably be pushing it. And no matter what, you can‘t bring in an outside drink, even water, and you must make a purchase from Starbucks.
It‘s worth noting that this is Starbucks‘ official global corporate policy. Individual store managers may choose to be more lenient or strict based on their location‘s needs. Licensed Starbucks stores inside places like airports, supermarkets, or college campuses may also have slightly different rules. But in general, this is the policy that Starbucks employees are asked to follow.
Why Starbucks Cares About Outside Food
At first glance, this policy might seem unnecessarily restrictive. Why does Starbucks care if people bring in some food from home or another restaurant? Wouldn‘t customers stay longer and visit more often if they could eat whatever they wanted? While there‘s definitely an argument for that, Starbucks has a few reasons for controlling outside food in its stores.
Encouraging Purchases. Let‘s start with the obvious one: money. Starbucks is a business, and its goal is to sell food and drinks. While the company wants to provide a welcoming atmosphere, it still needs to make a profit. According to Starbucks‘ 2022 fiscal reports, food sales make up 21% of the company‘s total revenue – over $5 billion annually. Requiring customers to make a purchase, even a small one, ensures that people aren‘t just taking advantage of the space and free Wi-Fi without giving anything back.
Food and beverage sales breakdown at Starbucks in 2022:
| Category | Sales (in billions) | Percent of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Beverages | $14.9 | 73% |
| Food | $5.2 | 21% |
| Other | $1.8 | 6% |
Controlling the Customer Experience. Starbucks aims to provide a calm, comfortable environment for customers to enjoy their coffee and food. Allowing people to bring in whatever outside food they want could disrupt that vibe. If someone brought in a large, messy meal or strong-smelling takeout, it could bother other guests. Starbucks wants to avoid excessive trash, crumbs, and odors in its stores. The policy gives them a way to prevent that.
Food Safety Liability. This one might not be obvious, but it‘s a real concern in the restaurant industry. If Starbucks allowed outside food without any restrictions, and a customer got sick from something they ate, the company could potentially be held liable. In a survey of restaurant owners by food safety consultants Steritech, 78% said they were concerned about foodborne illness from outside food. Starbucks‘ outside food rules give the company a way to control this risk and keep customers safe.
Reducing Service Confusion. Imagine if a Starbucks customer sat down with a pizza box or takeout bag from another restaurant. Other guests might assume Starbucks sold those items themselves. Or they might think it‘s fine to treat the store like a food court and bring in any outside meals. The policy helps avoid confusion and keeps things streamlined for the staff.
While Starbucks‘ motives might not be entirely altruistic, the policy does serve a few legitimate business purposes. It‘s a balance between maintaining a welcoming environment and protecting the company‘s bottom line.
How It Works in Practice
So now we know the official rules around Starbucks‘ outside food policy. But how strictly are they actually enforced? The answer is that it depends on the specific location, the staff working at any given time, and the circumstances. In most cases, Starbucks employees will use common sense and discretion in applying the policy.
If a customer comes in with a small, innocuous snack like a muffin or protein bar, they‘re unlikely to encounter any problems. Starbucks staff are not out to police every single food item that comes through the door. As long as you make a purchase and the food is not disruptive, you‘ll probably be fine.
On the other hand, if someone tries to enter a Starbucks with a large pizza, a bag of pungent takeout, or an outside drink, they‘re much more likely to be stopped. In those cases, an employee would likely (and politely) inform the customer of the policy and ask them to either finish the food outside or throw it away before coming in.
Rarely, a customer who refuses to comply or gets confrontational about the policy might be asked to leave the store entirely. But most of the time, the interaction is brief and civil. A 2019 tweet from a Starbucks barista sums it up well:
While viral stories of Starbucks kicking out customers over outside food might generate clicks, they‘re far from the norm. Most people who bring in small snacks go about their business at Starbucks without drawing any attention from employees.
What Do Customers Think?
Unsurprisingly, reactions to Starbucks‘ outside food policy are mixed. Some customers appreciate the rule as a way to keep the environment pleasant and avoid messy situations. Others see it as an unfair restriction and feel they should be free to eat what they want. Here‘s what a few real Starbucks customers had to say on social media:
Opinions seem to be driven by individual circumstances. Someone who just wants to enjoy their usual Starbucks drink probably won‘t mind the policy at all. A student hoping to camp out and study all day while eating their own snacks is more likely to find it frustrating.
It‘s worth noting that Starbucks‘ biggest competitors all have similar policies around outside food. Dunkin‘ Donuts and Panera Bread also require customers to make a purchase and not bring in outside drinks. Peet‘s Coffee has a blanket ban on all outside food and drinks. So while the rule might seem strict, it‘s fairly standard for coffee chains.
Tips for Bringing Food to Starbucks
If you do want to bring a small snack to enjoy with your Starbucks beverage, there are a few things you can do to be a considerate customer and avoid any potential issues:
Choose Your Food Wisely. Opt for something small, neat, and in secure packaging. Avoid anything too smelly, messy, or that requires assembly or utensils. Some good options might be:
- Granola bar or protein bar
- Small bag of nuts or pretzels
- Wrapped pastry or muffin
- Single piece of fruit
- Small bag of crackers or cookies
Be Discreet. You don‘t need to hide your food, but aim to be low-key about it. Don‘t walk in waving around a big takeout bag. Find a spot out of the main traffic flow to enjoy your snack.
Purchase Something from Starbucks. Remember, this is a requirement, not a suggestion. Even if you‘re not in the mood for coffee, grab a small tea, juice, or snack from Starbucks when you arrive. It‘s a token of goodwill for using the space.
Clean Up After Yourself. This should go without saying, but make sure to throw away all your trash and wipe up any crumbs when you‘re done. Bus your table and leave the space neat for the next customer.
Know the Vibe. Be mindful of how busy the store is and what the overall atmosphere is like. Bringing in food during the morning rush might get you some side-eye. But a slow afternoon at a spacious location? You‘ll likely be fine.
Basically, use your common sense and don‘t be "that person" who abuses Starbucks‘ outside food policy. A little consideration goes a long way.
Starbucks as a "Third Place"
Starbucks‘ approach to outside food is just one facet of its broader strategy to be a "third place" for customers. The company has long aimed to position its stores as a cozy, inviting space that‘s not home or work – somewhere people can gather to connect, relax, or be productive. Sociologist Ray Oldenburg, who coined the term "third place," has identified Starbucks as a prime example.
A few of the key features Starbucks incorporates to cultivate a third place vibe:
- Comfortable seating and homey decor
- Free Wi-Fi and ample outlets
- Background music at an ambient volume
- Loyalty/rewards program to incentivize regular visits
- Wide selection of "shareable" food and drink
The outside food rules fit into this framework. The company wants customers to feel free to linger and socialize without the pressure to make continuous purchases. But they also need ways to gently "police" the space to ensure one person‘s leisure isn‘t coming at a cost to others.
It‘s a tricky balance. And critics have argued that the rise of laptop workers has eroded Starbucks‘ third place feel over time. But it still remains core to the brand‘s identity and appeal. A Starbucks executive said in a recent statement:
"Our stores have always been community hubs. How customers use the spaces may evolve, but our mission to provide an uplifting experience and sense of connection remains the same."
The company‘s challenge going forward will be adapting its third place strategies for the remote work era without alienating customers. Food policies may be one lever they use to strike that balance.
Key Takeaways
Bringing your own food to Starbucks is allowed, as long as you follow a few sensible guidelines:
- Food must be small, contained, and not messy/smelly
- No outside drinks whatsoever, including water bottles
- Make a purchase from Starbucks, even just a small item
- Be considerate and discreet with your outside food
- Clean up thoroughly and bus your table when done
- Read the room and be mindful of the store‘s atmosphere
Starbucks‘ food policies might seem particular. But they serve a few key purposes like encouraging sales, avoiding mess/smell, and reducing liability. While not always popular, most customers can navigate them with a bit of common sense.
At the end of the day, Starbucks just wants to create an inviting environment for customers to enjoy. Bringing your own snacks is totally fine – just be thoughtful about it. Grab a pastry to pair with your latte and settle in to savor your "third place" Starbucks experience.
