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| Starbucks South Korea has urged customers not to bring heavy work equipment to its stores. Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Image |
Starbucks in South Korea is drawing a line in the sand — or rather, on the café floor — in response to a growing trend of customers treating its outlets like private office spaces. The coffee giant has begun posting notices in stores across the country, urging patrons to stop bringing oversized office equipment such as desktop computers, printers, and desk dividers into its cafés.
According to reports from Korea’s JoongAng Daily and the Korea Herald, these notices also include additional guidelines: customers should not leave their belongings unattended for long periods when stepping away from their seats, and they should be mindful to share large tables with other patrons rather than occupying them alone. The changes are aimed at addressing growing complaints about space shortages and the inconvenience caused by customers setting up extensive workstation arrangements in a shared public space.
Responding to Local press’s request for comment, a Starbucks representative confirmed that the policy update was part of the company’s broader effort to ensure “a pleasant and accessible store experience” for everyone. “While laptops and smaller personal devices are welcome, customers are asked to refrain from bringing desktop computers, printers, or other bulky items that may limit seating and impact the shared space,” the representative said. Importantly, the company noted that the new policy does not impose time limits for customers dining in its stores, a common tactic used by some other café chains to manage long-term patrons.
Images shared on social media illustrate the problem Starbucks is trying to solve. Some customers have been seen erecting portable, foldable partitions around their work areas, essentially creating a cubicle inside the café. These makeshift walls not only block off large areas of seating from other customers but also alter the open, communal atmosphere Starbucks promotes in its stores.
This crackdown comes in the wake of a booming cultural phenomenon in South Korea known as “cagongjok” — a term describing people who spend extended periods working or studying in cafés. The word blends “café” with “gongbu,” the Korean word for study, and reflects a deep-rooted part of urban life in cities like Seoul, where coffee shops line nearly every street. For many, the café offers a more appealing environment than a library or a cramped apartment, providing both a change of scenery and a sense of social connection.
However, the surge in “cagongjok” behavior has created new challenges for café operators. When customers occupy a table for hours, particularly with bulky setups, it limits turnover and can frustrate other patrons looking for a place to sit. In South Korea, this issue is amplified by the sheer number of Starbucks locations — more than 2,000 as of the end of 2024 — making it the coffee chain’s third-largest market after the United States and China. That store count has even surpassed Japan, underscoring the brand’s deep penetration into Korean daily life.
The timing of Starbucks Korea’s policy shift also coincides with a period of financial pressure for the company. On July 29, Starbucks released its third-quarter 2025 earnings, marking its sixth consecutive quarter of declining sales. Global same-store sales dropped 2% compared to the previous year. The company’s stock price has fallen about 18% over the past six months, though it remains roughly flat compared to the start of the year. As Starbucks works to reverse its sales slump, ensuring an inviting in-store experience — one that encourages both quick coffee stops and comfortable but reasonable stays — could be part of its strategy to win back customers.
By setting clear boundaries on what equipment is appropriate for a café setting, Starbucks South Korea is hoping to balance the needs of remote workers and students with those of casual coffee drinkers. While laptops and tablets remain welcome, the era of turning a corner table into a fully equipped private office, complete with printers and partitions, appears to be coming to an end.
