REUTERS/Andrew Winning
Starbucks is temporarily closing more than 8,000 locations on May 29.
- Starbucks is closing more than 8,000 company-owned stores for racial bias training on Tuesday, May 29.
- More than 175,000 employees are required to attend the training.
- Starbucks' 7,000 licensed stores in hotels, airports, and universities are not expected to close.
Starbucks is closing more than 8,000 company-owned stores for racial bias training on Tuesday afternoon.
The training comes after a video went viral that showed two black men being arrested at a Starbucks location in Philadelphia. Employees at the store called the police when the men refused to leave after asking to use the restroom without having purchased any drinks.
"The incident has prompted us to reflect more deeply on all forms of bias, the role of our stores in communities and our responsibility to ensure that nothing like this happens again at Starbucks. The reflection has led to a long-term commitment to reform systemwide policies, while elevating inclusion and equity in all we do," executive chairman Howard Schultz said in an open letter on Tuesday.
More than 175,000 employees are required to attend the training. Stores will close around 1:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon.
The remaining 7,000 licensed Starbucks stores, which are located in airports, hotels, grocery stores, and universities are not expected to close, however, Starbucks stated on its website.
Target is one of them. The store confirmed that the Starbucks coffee shops in its stores will remain open on Tuesday and the staff here will be required to attend its own company biased training - rolled out in 2017 - in the future.
Kroger is another.
"Our Starbucks shops will remain open today as the locations are operated and staffed by Kroger associates. We are providing our associates with training this year that focuses on our values and how we care for our customers, communities, and each other," a spokesperson for the company told Business Insider.
Other chains such as Albertsons and Publix, which have Starbucks locations in their stores and in their sister locations, did not immediately confirm to Business Insider whether these locations will be temporarily closing.
Before heading off - call your location to find out more information.
Read more about Starbucks' closures:
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