What Is Starbucks' 10-Minute Rule?

Have you ever visited a coffee shop without knowing its business hours, only to learn that it closed just two minutes before your arrival? It can certainly be frustrating, especially when you consider that a cup of coffee doesn't take that long to make and that you missed your window by only two minutes.

But rules are rules, right? Restaurant owners and managers reserve the right to set whatever business hours they choose. Unfortunately, though, sometimes that means employees will lock up a little earlier than the customers would like. You may have also noticed that some restaurant kitchens close sooner than the posted restaurant closing time, as discussed in a Tripadvisor forum. These policies are usually employee-driven, intended to prevent the staff from having to work too late beyond closing time.

Starbucks plays by a different rule, one that benefits the customers over the employees. It's called the 10-minute rule.

According to Better Marketing, the 10-minute rule at Starbucks involves remaining open 10 minutes after the posted closing time and unlocking the doors 10 minutes before the posted opening time. That means if you arrive at the shop at 9:09 p.m., and the sign says the shop closes at 9, the door will still be unlocked. There's no guarantee that you won't get a dirty look from the barista when you walk through that door, but at least you'll still be able to order your cup of Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino.

John Moore, a former corporate marketing manager for Starbucks, told The U.S. Sun that the policy is intended "to provide good customer service, as there's almost always a customer waiting for a Starbucks to open." Better Marketing echoed the sentiment, stating that "no consumer should have to go back or wait outside because of a few minutes."

Although Better Marketing describes Starbucks' 10-minute rule as a "genius strategy to keep customers happy," not all locations follow it, as News Break explains. A discussion surrounding the topic surfaced on Reddit, revealing more specific details about the policy. One alleged employee stated that their location keeps the door unlocked past closing time, only if there's still a customer in the shop. The same user also indirectly said that the restaurant doesn't open earlier than the posted time.

A second presumed employee claims that the Starbucks safety and security manual contains a reference to the 10-minute rule. However, another Reddit user in the same thread claims the reference has been removed. Another user said, "Sometimes we will unlock the doors/put on headsets 10 mins before open but then other times we don't??"

Bottom line? Most comments suggest that the decision on whether or not Starbucks follows the 10-minute rule ultimately depends on the store manager of that specific location. If you arrive at Starbucks a little earlier than the posted opening time, or a few minutes after the posted closing time, don't assume you can't get your cup of Joe as that location just might be one that participates in the 10-minute rule.