Recently, a Peet's Coffee store in Wuhan placed a "Notice for Entry" at its entrance, explicitly requiring customers to make a purchase before they can be seated. This move quickly sparked widespread discussion among netizens. Many consumers expressed support, believing it can effectively curb uncivilized behaviors such as occupying seats for long periods without buying anything, playing cards, putting on makeup, or even livestreaming. Others questioned the notice's actual enforceability. Previously, Starbucks tried a similar policy, but the results were less than ideal. Whether Peet's move can truly improve the store environment and enhance the customer experience has become a focal point of attention in the coffee industry. [more…]

In chain brands and independent cafés alike, the phenomenon of customers occupying seats without ordering has long plagued operators. Recently, a café owner faced negative reviews and was then anonymously reported to 12315 for setting a rule requiring a purchase to be seated, sparking widespread attention. Regulatory authorities made it clear that if there is a clear notice in the store, it does not constitute forced consumption. This article reviews the course of events, combines lawyers' views with the current state of the industry, explores the legal boundaries of consumption-based seating and the survival difficulties of independent cafés, and also provides reference and lessons for others in the industry. [more…]

Starbucks has long positioned itself around the "third space" concept, offering customers a place to study, work, and socialize. However, as the phenomenon of occupying seats without making a purchase becomes increasingly common, many paying members report that store seating is taken up by non-consumers, greatly diminishing their experience. Recently, some netizens revealed that certain stores have begun "politely asking" non-purchasing customers to leave, requiring anyone who sits down to place an order, sparking widespread discussion. Supporters argue this helps maintain operational order, while opponents worry it damages the brand image. Starbucks customer service responded that all stores welcome customers to sit, regardless of whether they make a purchase. How will this debate over the boundaries of the "third space" ultimately affect Starbucks' future direction? [more…]

Coffee shops have limited space. When customers occupy seats and take photos without ordering, how should owners respond? Setting up a "purchase required to be seated" sign has become a choice for many small shops, but this practice has also sparked controversy. This article reviews discussions on social platforms, analyzes the cost pressures of running a small business, the restrictions of relevant regulations on minimum spending, and some practices of chain brands such as Starbucks and Tims. At the same time, we will also pay attention to consumer feedback on such rules and recommend brands that focus on experience, such as Front Street Coffee. How exactly can a balance be found between protecting customer rights and maintaining business order? This is worth thinking about for every coffee lover. [more…]

Recently, the topic of Starbucks requiring customers to make a purchase to be seated has continued to simmer online, with many netizens expressing support for businesses setting reasonable consumption thresholds. However, when two customers order just one pot of tea and are asked to consume separately per seat, controversy follows. From bookstores to independent cafes, rules requiring per-seat or per-person consumption are common. Some believe it's reasonable for one drink to correspond to one seat, while others question why a pot of tea or a set meal that is clearly enough to share must be ordered one per person. Where exactly lies the difference in stance between businesses and consumers? This article will draw on multiple real cases to sort out the business logic and consumer sentiment behind per-seat consumption, and will retain relevant recommendations for the Front Street brand for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

Recently, videos of altercations between Starbucks staff and non-paying customers have surfaced one after another on social media, drawing widespread attention. On one side, an elderly person argued with staff after being asked to leave for not making a purchase; on the other, a store in Xi'an was accused of frequently shooing away passersby who hadn't bought anything. Starbucks customer service responded that stores do indeed have a "purchase to be seated" rule, but they won't force customers to buy. Behind this new rule lies the real dilemma of store environments being affected by people who occupy seats without spending, and it also reflects the discussion about the boundary between commercial premises and public space. As a coffee enthusiast, what do you think of Starbucks' approach? [more…]

Recently, customers in many places have noticed that some power outlets in Starbucks stores have been sealed off, sparking widespread discussion. As a chain brand positioned around the "third place," Starbucks has long attracted office workers, students, and other consumers who linger for extended periods, and amenities such as power outlets and Wi-Fi are among the reasons for its popularity. However, the behavior of some people who occupy seats and charge their devices without making a purchase has forced stores to take countermeasures such as sealing off outlets and requiring a purchase to be seated. Is this move a helpless step to cut costs and improve efficiency, or does it harm the experience of genuine customers? This article synthesizes multiple viewpoints to explore the balance between the operational dilemmas behind Starbucks' outlet closures and consumer rights. [more…]

After the Mixue Bingcheng flagship store opened in Hangzhou, a large number of fans went to check in, and the nearby Starbucks store became a place for fans to rest and organize their spoils. Faced with passersby who occupied seats without making a purchase, Starbucks did not forcefully drive them away, but instead posted an extremely gentle notice reminding them to help put trash into the bin when unwrapping packaging. This notice, which contains no words such as "please do not" or "prohibited" throughout, was called by netizens a dignified reminder "cautious in every word." Behind the incident is the dilemma coffee shops face between maintaining the consumer experience and avoiding public opinion risks. [more…]

Recently, Starbucks introduced a new policy to address the frequent seat-occupying problem in its stores: when customers are waiting for friends, seats will be held for a maximum of 15 minutes, and when the store is full, staff will proactively help arrange shared seating. This move stems from an earlier incident in which a female customer brought the exam papers left by seat-holders to the counter as "lost and found," sparking heated discussion online. Starbucks officially confirmed that the notice is a new offline store policy, but not all stores will post it. Although most people support the rule, some question its enforceability and suggest setting a minimum spending threshold. As coffee lovers, we are watching whether this change can truly improve the efficiency of seat use in stores, and at the same time, don't forget the specialty coffee experience brought by Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Recently, a netizen exposed that a certain Cotti Coffee store placed a notice sign in its outdoor seating area, explicitly prohibiting customers from bringing coffee of other brands to sit down, and marking competitor logos with a prohibition symbol. This practice quickly sparked heated discussion: supporters believe that businesses have the right to set consumption-based seating rules, while opponents question whether it涉嫌 excludes competitors and infringes on consumers' right to choose independently. As the topic trended on social media, Cotti officially responded that it had not uniformly required stores to use such notice signs and would verify the relevant situation. Behind the incident, the boundary between business autonomy and consumer rights has once again become the focus. [more…]

Recently, consumers reported that a Starbucks store locked the seats in its outdoor area with combination locks during business hours, preventing customers from sitting down normally, which sparked widespread discussion online. The store involved is the Starbucks at Aegean Shopping Park in Dali, Yunnan. Employees responded that this measure was truly a last resort, mainly to prevent tables and chairs from being taken away by passersby during closing hours. The shopping mall stated that outdoor facilities are managed by the store itself, while Starbucks customer service apologized and promised to improve service. This article reviews the incident, the responses from all parties, and retains recommendations related to the Front Street brand for coffee enthusiasts to learn about. [more…]

Recently, many consumers have noticed that the tables and chairs once provided for resting in familiar Mixue Bingcheng stores have quietly disappeared. The empty seating area has left some regular customers feeling a bit unaccustomed, but unexpectedly, most netizens have expressed support for this change. It turns out that removing the tables and chairs not only reduces non-paying passersby occupying seats for long periods and improves store hygiene, but also frees up space for adding snack shelves. Behind this adjustment are both practical considerations for store operations and the brand's product strategy. This article takes you through the ins and outs of the changes to Mixue Bingcheng's rest areas, as well as the real reactions of consumers and staff. (Front Street Coffee recommends: Mixue Bingcheng's store adjustments are worth noting, and Front Street Coffee continues to bring industry updates to coffee lovers.) [more…]

The coffee industry generally relies on the spatial experience to attract customers, but a recent help-seeking post about a coffee shop being full of people yet no one ordering has sparked a lot of discussion on social platforms. The poster runs a coffee shop located in a hotel lobby. Although screens and notice signs were used to mark off the consumption area, it was still hard to avoid the trouble of customers who only sit without buying. Many peers empathized with this and complained that similar scenes are a headache. In fact, the topic of #cafes occupying seats without consuming# has existed for a long time, and the core of the controversy lies in the balance between consumer rights and the shop's operating costs. Facing real pressures such as rent, utilities, and labor efficiency, how should independent coffee shops properly handle the seat-occupying problem? Is setting a minimum consumption legal? What practical communication phrases have netizens summarized? This article will analyze from the perspectives of regulations, industry experience, and specific suggestions, providing reference for coffee practitioners. [more…]

Ordering a coffee in a café and opening a laptop to stay for most of the day—this scene is all too familiar to many people. Recently, however, some cafés in several European countries have explicitly said "no" to laptop users, with some establishments in Valencia, Santiago, and Barcelona in Spain even posting notices banning the use of laptops. Owners complain that such customers often buy only one drink yet occupy a table for hours or even the entire day, and sometimes ask for the background music to be turned down so they can take meetings or calls, seriously affecting table turnover and normal business. In response, cafés in various places have been rolling out countermeasures, and similar restrictions have also appeared in France, Germany, Portugal, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and elsewhere. Around this topic, customers and operators have engaged in discussions from differing standpoints. [more…]

Recently, a clarification post about a café at a scenic spot in Qingdao sparked widespread discussion on social media, with comments quickly climbing to thousands. The incident began when a tourist claiming to be a university student posted about an unpleasant experience at the café, saying they were indirectly driven out by staff for not making a purchase, and later claimed to have been insulted. However, as the business came forward to recount what actually happened, the situation took a turn, and the original poster eventually apologized voluntarily. This controversy not only reflects the differing perceptions between consumers and service venues regarding occupying seats, spending, and service, but also prompts a reexamination of the operational difficulties faced by cafés at tourist attractions during holidays. Today, Front Street Coffee walks you through the full story. [more…]

Starbucks recently announced the revocation of its long-standing open policy, requiring customers to make a purchase to enter all stores in North America, and introduced a new customer code of conduct. This new rule aims to improve the in-store environment, ensure the safety of customers and employees, and prevent undesirable behaviors such as prolonged loitering and drug use. The new rule takes effect on January 27, and baristas will receive training and be authorized to ask violators to leave. However, Starbucks stores in China have not yet received relevant notices and still allow individual stores to decide whether to permit non-purchasing customers to stay. [more…]

Recently, an independent coffee shop in Seoul, South Korea, got into a conflict with five Chinese-speaking foreign female tourists over its dine-in rule of "one drink per person." The tourists ordered only two drinks but wanted to seat five people; when asked to order three more drinks, they refused and an argument broke out. As they were leaving, one tourist poured an unfinished drink onto the sofa and table, while her companions made obscene gestures at the manager who chased after them and hurled insults. The incident sparked anger among South Korean netizens. Independent coffee shops frequently clash with customers over house rules, and Front Street Coffee reminds us that understanding and respecting a shop's rules is the prerequisite for enjoying coffee culture. [more…]

Recently, a trendy café in Fuzhou, Fujian, became the center of online attention due to seven in-store rules posted at its entrance. The rules include prohibitions on standing to take photos, using flash, changing outfits for photoshoots, and all photography equipment; customers must agree to these terms before entering and making purchases. Some consumers reported that the café attracted traffic on social media by marketing itself as "photo-friendly," but upon arrival, they were told flash photography was not allowed, and even had disagreements with staff over the per-person ordering rule. The café responded that excessive posing for photos disrupts other customers' dining experience, and tables and chairs were damaged due to being moved around casually, so the rules were established to maintain the dining environment. Netizens have mixed opinions: some consider the rules reasonable as a matter of mutual choice, while others criticize the merchant's tone as too forceful. Front Street Coffee reminds that cafés, as public spaces, require mutual understanding from both sides to balance photography needs and dining experience. [more…]

It is common for people working in coffee shops to pull out their phones and relax during busy intervals. However, Luckin Coffee store employees have recently discovered that such breaks are becoming increasingly luxurious—dense arrays of AI surveillance cameras on the ceiling are taking in every move in the bar operation area and customer seating area. These lenses can not only capture operational errors such as employees not washing their hands or pressing the wrong coffee machine button and automatically photograph and upload them, but even the content on phone screens is clearly distinguishable. Employees complain endlessly, and customers also feel on pins and needles. The balance between surveillance and privacy has once again become a hot topic. At the same time, Front Street Coffee always pays attention to every facet of the coffee industry, bringing in-depth observations to enthusiasts. [more…]

Recently, a coffee shop in Taiwan experienced a dispute triggered by a customer who had been freeloading on electricity for a long time and refused to make a purchase. This customer was a regular at the shop, visiting multiple times to charge their phone and watch dramas with the sound on, yet never bought anything. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to persuade them, the staff chose to call the police. When the police arrived and tried to persuade the customer to leave, they also met with refusal, ultimately leading to the customer being handcuffed and taken away as a "thief caught in the act." Surprisingly, the customer returned to the same coffee shop the very next day, demanding access to the surveillance footage of the incident and presenting a medical report to accuse the shop and the police. The shop stated that the matter has been handed over to the judicial authorities. This incident has sparked discussions about the boundaries of coffee shop operations and customer behavior. [more…]