Since the onset of the pandemic, Starbucks has moved quickly to modify and adapt its operations to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The company’s guiding principle from the beginning has been to prioritize partner (employee) and customer safety, based on facts and science, and communicated with transparency.

core/paragraph

Amid the outbreak in early March, Starbucks was among the first to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/managing-through-the-dynamics-of-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pause the use of personal cups</a> and “for here” ware as an initial precautionary measure. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/comprehensive-partner-care-during-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sampling and the use of Cambro® containers</a> were also paused, and cleaning and sanitizing protocols were increased to help prevent the spread of germs in stores.&nbsp;

Starbucks also took a leadership approach by temporarily closing company-operated <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/caring-for-our-partners-and-customers-during-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stores in high-social gathering locations</a> like stores located in malls and in colleges and universities to encourage physical distancing.&nbsp;

Now, as Starbucks is on track to <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-expects-to-resume-operations-in-as-many-stores-as-possible-by-the-end-of-may/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resume operations in as many stores as possible</a> by the end of May, partner and customer safety continues to be the company’s No. 1 priority.&nbsp;

Starbucks safety measures

core/heading

As the global crisis evolved, Starbucks Canada tested and refined new ways of working to protect the health and well-being of its partners and customers, consistent with the guidance provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada, provincial governments and safety experts.&nbsp; 

Partners, for example, are provided with personal protective equipment, including <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/what-customers-need-to-know-about-starbucks-response-to-covid-19/" target="_blank">facial coverings</a> and gloves. It is mandatory for any partner working in a store to wear a facial covering, but gloves are optional. As an additional safety measure, baristas will complete a check-in procedure at the start of each shift, which includes taking their temperature and using the COVID-19 Virtual Coach to ensure they are ready and able to work, helping every member of the team feel more confident while working together.

core/image

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2020/05/Sbux_1.jpg

core/file

Additionally, to protect our partners and our community, Starbucks Canada now respectfully requests customers follow physical distancing and safety protocols recommended by public health officials, including wearing a facial covering when visiting our stores. Although customers do not typically come in prolonged contact with partners or each other in Starbucks current modified operations, this additional step serves as an added layer of protection for our customers and partners.

Preparing partners to return to work

Despite the challenges of navigating this pandemic, Starbucks has remained committed to taking care of its partners. As store operations resume, all partners will attend a re-immersion training to set them up for success and ensure they feel safe, welcomed and supported to run their store.

The training is broken up into two blocks over two days and consists of audio recordings, interactive PDFs, and videos so partners can participate while physical distancing. The first block of training focuses on reconnecting partners with their team and acknowledging everyone’s experience during this pandemic. Partners will also participate in an eight-minute meditation together. The goal is to build greater empathy and understanding for each partner’s journey so that partners can better support each other.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2020/05/Sbux_4.jpg

The second block of training focuses on the operational changes to promote physical distancing and increased safety. This will help familiarize partners with the way stores will work for the foreseeable future. Partners will learn how to move together in a modified store space, up-to-date guidance on cleaning and sanitizing protocols, how to properly handoff a customer’s beverage while giving them the space to retrieve it safely, and how to create positive customer experiences in this uncertain time.&nbsp;

Reimagining the Starbucks Experience

After expanding services to include entryway pickup, Starbucks is now looking forward to adding grab-and-go in the future. Where social distancing can be accommodated, this format will allow customers to place an order in the café and take it to-go, or use the order ahead and pay feature in the <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/coffeehouse%2Fmobile-apps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks App</a> and pick it up at the counter. In preparation, Starbucks is sourcing plexi-shields to be installed at the POS.

Starbucks Canada is well on its way to resuming operations across the country. By the end of this week, Starbucks Canada will have safely resumed operations in 65% of stores with modified formats.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2020/05/Sbux_drive-thru.jpg

Currently, Drive-Thru and take-out only locations remain open to serve customers, and delivery is available through <a href="https://www.ubereats.com/ca/brand/starbucks/?utm_source=starbucks_can&amp;utm_medium=brandpage&amp;utm_content=PAowned" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks Delivers</a> via Uber Eats. In most cases, customers who use the <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/coffeehouse%2Fmobile-apps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks app</a> can pick up their order from a barista at the door without entering the café or at the drive-thru.

The Starbucks Experience may differ depending on location, but it will still be convenient, familiar and safe for all customers.

To learn about <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/what-customers-need-to-know-about-starbucks-response-to-covid-19/" target="_blank">what customers can expect</a>, watch the video below.

core/embed

As the global crisis evolved, Starbucks Canada tested and refined new ways of working to protect the health and well-being of its partners and customers, consistent with the guidance provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada, provincial governments and safety experts.

Starbucks Canada Prioritizes Safety as it Resumes Store Operations

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2020/05/Sbux_6.jpg

Starbucks Canada

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2020/05/Sbux_6-1024x683.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-prioritizes-safety-as-it-resumes-store-operations/

twitter:card

twitter:description

twitter:image

twitter:title

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Starbucks Canada made the decision to step back and rethink what partner (employee) and customer safety looked like. Starbucks <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-to-close-cafes-and-move-to-drive-thru-and-delivery-only/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">closed most company-operated cafés</a> and reduced its service to Drive-Thru, delivery, and take-out only.&nbsp;

These open stores have helped Starbucks test and refine new ways of working, specifically in this social-distancing environment, and now, the company is ready to roll out its new model more broadly.

Over the following days and weeks, customers will have access to more stores, and the company expects to resume operations in as many stores as possible by the end of May. This will be determined on a community-by-community basis as Starbucks continues to prioritize the health and well-being of its customers and partners.

This announcement was made by Lori Digulla, president of Starbucks Canada, in an open letter to all partners today. “A lot has changed over the last six weeks,” she said. “As we enter this new phase, we know that we can evolve how we serve our customers as restrictions begin to lift and we are ready to continue to be fluid in how we serve our communities.”

Starbucks will monitor and adjust its operations, making decisions to open additional stores or expand services (like curbside pick-up or walk-in orders) on a community-by-community basis working closely with local leadership, health authorities and provincial governments as the environment and regulations change. 

To learn about what customers can expect, watch the video below.

To learn more about the mandatory safety measures Starbucks has put in place, visit our <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/what-customers-need-to-know-about-starbucks-response-to-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at-a-glance overview</a>. To learn more about this announcement, read Lori Digulla’s full letter below.

core/separator

These last six weeks have been challenging in every sense. Everything about our lives at home, at work, and how we interact within our communities has changed and taken an emotional toll on each of us.&nbsp;The impact of COVID-19 has been unimaginable, and it requires us to re-imagine our future, our new normal, and then the next normal, as we navigate out of this crisis together.

Throughout this ever-changing situation, every decision we’ve made has been rooted in our Mission and values. They are, and always will be, our compass. We’ve prioritized the health and well-being of our customers and partners, made decisions grounded in facts and science and showed up in a positive and responsible way to serve our communities.&nbsp; Thank you for your commitment throughout these changes. Your care, participation and leadership has allowed us to accomplish so much in a short period of time.

Together, we have completely reimagined how to operate our stores safely, for partners and customers, often exceeding guidance from government and health authorities. We made the decision to continue to pay all our partners even if they weren’t working, and paid you even more if you were, while offering comprehensive mental health and EAP support. And we developed the biggest and most comprehensive community support program in our history, including food donations, financial grants, and prioritizing support for First Responders and Front-Line workers.

I am so very proud of you and your unwavering support for each other and the communities we serve.&nbsp; During this time of uncertainty, you have been there for each other and our customers in so many creative and deeply compassionate ways.&nbsp; I am humbled to stand beside you as a partner and am constantly inspired by each of you.&nbsp; Our customers have shared with us that we are playing an important role for them during this difficult time. We have received letters, and cards and posts, and heard stories that the sense of normalcy and respite we bring is important to them. Front Line workers have been deeply appreciative of our “surprise and delights” and free coffee. &nbsp;And I hear from many of you that you are eager to get back to your stores and reunite with your customers and your communities.

Our open stores have helped us learn so much about our new “take out” model and we have changing patterns and busy day parts we are adjusting to.&nbsp; These stores have helped us test and refine new ways of working and new operating models, designed specifically for this social-distancing environment, and we will now roll this out more broadly.&nbsp;

Starting this week, customers will have access to more stores, and we expect to resume operations in as many stores as possible by the end of May. &nbsp;To start, these stores will offer our current Drive Thru, delivery and pick-up only service.&nbsp; From there, we will monitor and adjust our operations, making decisions to open additional stores or expand services (like curbside pick-up or walk-in orders) on a community-by-community basis working closely with local leadership, health authorities and provincial governments as the environment and regulations change.

To facilitate the best decisions in each market across the country and support our field leaders in this work, we have developed a data-rich dashboard to provide comprehensive information, including store format details, government data on confirmed cases and trends about COVID-19 and how that may influence decisions at the individual store level. As the ability to test for COVID-19 increases, we’ll be able to continuously enhance our monitoring capabilities.

Of course, we have a number of previously announced mandatory measures that remain in place to run safe stores for partners and customers:

core/list

We will also continue to provide Catastrophe Pay through June 14th for any partner:

A lot has changed over the last 6 weeks. As we welcome back thousands of partners who have not been working since mid-March, understandably, you will experience a variety of emotions and have questions about our modified operations. All partners will attend two blocks of training over two days, to reconnect on supporting partner care, community building, and the safety and operational changes we’ve put in place in our stores. It will be important to come together as a team and familiarize everyone to the way we will work for the foreseeable future. We will continue to lean into the many safety measures we’ve already put in place, and as we monitor and adapt, we will invest in new solutions, if needed, to ensure you feel cared for and supported.

As we enter this new phase, we know that we can evolve how we serve our customers as restrictions begin to lift and we are ready to continue to be fluid in how we serve our communities. I also ask that we continue to care for each other. Throughout this, we’ve all tried to do what is right, follow guidelines and help those around us the best we can, but now more than ever, as we begin to come together again, we need to treat each other with compassion and empathy.

The impact that this pandemic has had on the world has been widespread, yet unique to each of us, and wholly unimaginable. Coming out of that, we must acknowledge and grieve what we have lost and then work together to collectively reimagine our future. I know that together, we will recover from the events of the COVID-19 pandemic and while we won’t be the same as before, we will be stronger. The resilience, commitment and care you have demonstrated at every step is proof of that!

It is with optimism and gratitude that I welcome you back to do what we love to do, serve our communities and be with our Starbucks family.&nbsp; I look forward to welcoming you back home. &nbsp;

Starting this week, customers will have access to more stores, and the company expects to resume operations in as many stores as possible by the end of May. This will be determined on a community-by-community basis as Starbucks continues to prioritize the health and well-being of its customers and partners.

Starbucks Canada Expects to Resume Operations in as Many Stores as Possible by the End of May

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2020/04/Stbx.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2020/starbucks-canada-expects-to-resume-operations-in-as-many-stores-as-possible-by-the-end-of-may/

Resuming operations

Starbucks Canada Prioritizes Safety as it Resumes Store Operations

Starbucks Canada Expects to Resume Operations in as Many Stores as Possible by the End of May