(Nicole Romanuk/WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
BRIGHTON (WBZ-AM) -- Starbucks lovers should plan accordingly--later Tuesday, the company will close its 8,000 stores nationwide so its 200,000 workers can undergo mandatory anti-bias training.
The training, which was developed in partnership with the NAACP, was designed to get employees to open up about their own stereotypes.
The company deemed it necessary in the aftermath of the arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia Starbucks because they were sitting in the store without placing an order.
CEO Kevin Johnson said he wants to make sure nothing like that ever happens at a Starbucks again.
"For me, it's a learning experience," he said. "It's an emotional learning experience, and I take it personally, so yeah, I'm affected by it and I'm going to fix it."
Starbucks has also changed its policy and now allows anyone to use its restrooms or sit in its stores.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports