Starbucks Canada Aims to Reopen Nearly Half of Stores for Dine In by the End of June
Starbucks Canada is reopening cafes and patio seating for customers, aiming to have nearly half of its company-owned stores open by the end of June. The company will reopen for dine in on a community-by-community basis, starting in B.C. where 16 stores opened last week. Starbucks is working closely with local leadership, health authorities and provincial governments as restrictions start to lift across the country.
As the company rolls out dine-in service, Starbucks precautionary measures will continue to prioritize partner (employee) and customer safety. Available indoor and outdoor seating will be significantly reduced to accommodate 6-foot spacing between tables and to prioritize physical distancing in the cafe lobby and customer waiting areas, and tables will be sanitized between each customer.
This is in addition to previously announced in-store safety measures including floor markers and signage to show customers how to navigate through the store and remain physically distant. There will also be a plexi-shield at the POS and handoff area as an added barrier of protection. Additionally, partners will wear facial coverings and adhere to Starbucks safety measures.
Customers can order to-go or to stay if seating is available. However, Starbucks will continue to pause the use of personal cups and “for here” ware as a precautionary measure to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Starbucks temporarily closed most of its stores in March in response to the pandemic. However, after testing and refining new ways of working to protect the health of its partners and customers, the company gradually re-expanded its services. Now there are many ways for customers to enjoy Starbucks, including drive-thru, Starbucks® Delivers powered by Uber Eats (limited delivery area and menu options. See Uber Eats app for details), mobile ordering, grab-and-go, and now dine in.
Now that the majority of Canadian stores are open for grab-and-go, customers can walk into a cafe and pay with any method at the counter. However, Starbucks encourages downloading and using the Starbucks App for contactless payment. To save time, customers can also order ahead and pay with their Starbucks App. Mobile orders can be picked up at the designated handoff area inside the cafe or at the drive-thru.
Customers using the Starbucks App can also collect Stars towards Rewards with most purchases when they become Starbucks Rewards members. To welcome customers back to stores, Starbucks is offering a new promotion:
- One free drink: Customers who download the Starbucks App and set up an account can enroll in the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program and collect Stars with most purchases using a registered Starbucks Card in the app. New Starbucks Rewards members will be awarded with 150 Stars after they make their first purchase with the app between May 25 and June 30. That’s enough Stars for one free drink! See Starbucks.ca/rewards for program details.
Starbucks is committed to supporting health and government officials as they work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. As more stores reopen for dine in, the company will maintain its operational standards for partner and customer safety at a minimum.
Media release and images provided by Leanne Butchart, Talk Shop Media.
