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COFFEE PLEASE

You can still get a Starbucks after closing time thanks to little-known rule

VERY little is worse than walking up to your favorite dining spot just to find out you missed their closing time by a few minutes.

Apparently, if that happens to you at Starbucks, you might still be in luck thanks to the supposed "10-minute rule" – but the rule may not apply everywhere, so you should check with your local store before assuming.

A little-known rule about Starbucks may become your saving grace for getting coffee at night
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A little-known rule about Starbucks may become your saving grace for getting coffee at nightCredit: Getty
The rule is part of Starbucks' policy, according to a former employee
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The rule is part of Starbucks' policy, according to a former employeeCredit: Getty

John Moore, a former corporate marketing manager for Starbucks and founder of , told that if you find yourself in this situation, you should still be able to get your desired drink.

He claimed that while store hours vary from location to location, Starbucks has a "10-minute rule," meaning stores open 10 minutes prior to their scheduled opening time and close 10 minutes after their posted closing time.

"This is just to provide good customer service, as there's almost always a customer waiting for a Starbucks to open," he said. 

That's some good news for coffee lovers!

Read more in lifestyle

As mentioned before, though, this rule does not apply to every Starbucks you walk into.

Several Starbucks baristas have claimed their store has done away with this rule.

"We don’t follow it. If we’re closed, we’re closed. End of discussion," one noted in a Reddit thread about the supposed rule.

"If corporate wants us to be open ten minutes before and after, they can change our hours, because I need every one of those thirty minutes they give me," another added.

"No way," a third supposed Starbucks worker wrote.

"We're not ready to open the doors 10 minutes before the posted open time, and for closing, we let people linger for about 5 minutes to pack up their stuff and go to the bathroom, but make it clear to them that the store is closed, and no-one else is coming in the door."

However, others confirmed that the rule is followed at their particular store.

"My merchandiser was convinced it was standard and got upset with us because we weren't doing it," one person recalled.

"Unfortunately we do. Our lovely [division manager] cracked down on it, so now we have to," a person who is not a fan of the policy admitted.

A third Starbucks employee said their store follows the rule "most of the time," while another said they'll do it for opening, but not for closing.

HOW TO HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE

Furthermore, Moore said you should expect to get your coffee served with a smile.

"The employee handbook, called 'The Green Apron,' talks about connecting, discovering and responding, smiling… as a way to bond with customers," he noted. 

Of course, it always helps to order with a smile yourself.

If you want to make sure your experience at the coffee joint is the best possible, several unnamed employees previously shared the drinks you should never order.

Some of these barred orders include asking for extra hot drinks and requesting secret menu items without knowing what is in them.

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Plus, another Starbucks employee revealed the drink that baristas do not enjoy making, plus shared her top money-saving tips.

And a savvy customer showed how she can .

You can order Starbucks if it's within 10 minutes after their posted closing time, according to Moore
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You can order Starbucks if it's within 10 minutes after their posted closing time, according to MooreCredit: Getty

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