Starbucks issues ultimatum to staff in latest attempt to turn around struggling chain

The morning rush just got a little earlier for some coffee-sipping corporate types. 

Starbucks’ top boss, Brian Niccol, said the coffee chain will now make some of its corporate employees come into the office for four days each week. 

For months, the company required its in-office managers come into the corporate headquarters for three days each week.  

The expanded return-to-work policy is set to kick in on September 29. 

Niccol said employees should expect to come into offices Monday through Thursday for ‘common days.’ 

All managers at support centers are also required to relocate to Seattle or Toronto within 12 months. 

Individual contributors who do not manage other Starbucks employees can stay remote. However, all future hires at Starbuck’s support center must be based close to the company’s headquarters.  

‘Being in person also helps us build and strengthen our culture. As we work to turn the business around, all these things matter more than ever,’ the chief executive said.

Starbucks’ CEO, Brian Niccol, said the company’s expanded return-to-office mandate ‘helps us build and strengthen our culture’

‘We want leaders and people managers to be physically present with their teams.’ 

Niccol, who will complete a year in the job in less than two months, has been steering Starbucks back to its coffeehouse roots.

Customers have noticed some huge changes since he has taken over: the menu has become much simpler, to-stay orders are often served in ceramic cups, and rewards offerings have changed. 

The company has also put a premium on speeding up orders, including new guidance to hire more employees at each cafe. 

Corporate employees and in-store baristas have also seen some seismic shifts under Niccol’s leadership.   

In February, the coffee chain operator asked the remotely-working vice president level leadership to begin relocating to Seattle or Toronto. 

They were asked to work from the office more consistently.  

Starbucks has been accelerating the roll out of new staffing and service model across company-owned North American stores to revive sales growth after struggling in the face of rising inflation and economic uncertainty.

Starbucks has revamped its in-house cafe experiences, hoping to entice customers to spend more time in its nationwide stores

The company has made huge changes to its menu and rewards programs 

Last year, the company struggled to maintain its sales dominance in the quick-serve coffee industry. 

Starbucks posted four straight quarters of sales declines as inflation-restricted shoppers turned away from the coffee brand.

And now, it is facing renewed pressure from competition. 

Luckin Coffee, the largest cafe chain in China, recently opened its first-ever US locations, with two new stores in New York City. 

McDonald’s has been heavily investing in new menu offerings, including caffeine-induced drinks. 

Even American competitors, like Arizona-based Dutch Bros, are starting to pop up in markets, hoping to challenge Starbucks with similar products at lower prices. 

The company didn’t immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.