Starbucks is now doing Drive-Thru Only

Starbucks announced this weekend that all of its company-operated stores across the U.S. and Canada are transitioning to a drive-thru only model for a minimum for two weeks. The unprecedented move comes as the coffee giant continues to grapples with the impact of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

However, Starbucks will continue efforts to serve healthcare workers and other first responders on the frontlines. Accordingly, some cafes located inside or near hospitals or other healthcare centers will remain open. The company also confirmed it will pay U.S. partners for the next month, even if they stay at home.

The changes came after an earlier announcement that Starbucks was temporarily transitioning to a “to-go” model for at least two weeks to implement social distancing in North American stores that remained open amid the outbreak. The coffee chain also put in place a “modified condiment bar” and announced it would suspend refilling re-usable cups.

“The magnitude of managing through this situation is the single biggest challenge many of us have faced in our lifetime, and I am continually moved by your compassion for each other, our customers and our communities during this exceptionally difficult time. With daily news from friends and family members getting laid off and businesses closing, we need one another more than ever,” Rossann Williams, president of U.S. company-operated business and Canada, wrote Friday in a letter to partners.

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