Starbucks Korea bans PCs and printers to curb "cafe office" culture

The End of the "Coffee Shop Office" for Some Tech Gadgets

Starbucks in South Korea is implementing a significant policy shift, effectively banning the use of personal computers, printers, and even desk dividers within its cafes. This move aims to address a growing trend of customers transforming coffee shops into extended workspaces, often at the expense of other patrons seeking a more relaxed atmosphere.

A Matter of Space and Profitability

The "work-from-cafe" culture has surged in recent years, fueled by the rise of freelance and remote work. While convenient for some, it has led to crowded conditions and complaints from regular customers struggling to find available seating. Data from the Korean Food Industry Research Institute highlights the economic challenge: a coffee costing 4,100 won (approximately $3) in 2019 only covered about 1 hour and 42 minutes of table time before becoming unprofitable. By 2024, this threshold had shrunk to just 1 hour and 31 minutes.

Starbucks' Stricter Stance

While some establishments have opted for time limits or disabled power outlets, Starbucks Korea has taken a more direct approach. Employees will now verbally request customers to remove any non-standard office equipment, such as laptops, printers, or dividers, from their tables. This policy change, communicated to all outlets last week, underscores the company's commitment to a more comfortable experience for all its patrons and, importantly, to mitigate the risk of equipment theft when areas are left unattended.

Real-World Scenarios Prompting Change

Recent observations have showcased the extremes of this trend. One customer was spotted creating a veritable personal workstation with a separate monitor and keyboard, enclosed by a desk divider. Another went even further, bringing a printer into the cafe. These unusual setups, widely shared online, evidently played a role in Starbucks' decision. As a representative from Starbucks Korea stated, "Following a series of complaints, we internally reviewed this matter and issued new guidelines for all cafes, effective Thursday." The company emphasized that the primary goal is to "ensure a more comfortable experience for our customers and reduce the risk of theft when spaces are left unattended for extended periods."

What's Still Allowed

It's important to note that this prohibition does not extend to the typical laptops that many customers use for casual work or browsing. The focus is specifically on items that create a more permanent or disruptive "mini-office" setup.

Broader Tech and Work Trends

This development echoes other shifts in the modern work landscape. Earlier, reports highlighted a trend in San Francisco where workers were utilizing AI voice recorders to capture conversations. Separately, the debate around work-life balance has intensified, with some tech leaders questioning its viability and even mandating grueling work hours. The practice of extremely long workweeks, exemplified by China's "996" (9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week) schedule, is also making a controversial reappearance in some AI startups.