Coffee chain Starbucks is asking its customers in the United States to leave their guns at home.
The chain has made headlines after issuing the unusual request, in a country where the right to carry arms is viewed by many as a constitutional one.
Chief executive Howard Schultz admits the policy is bound to annoy some customers, but says he hopes most will agree with what the company is trying to achieve.
"Certainly I care if it impacts Starbucks' bottom line, but I think there are a number of decisions that we've made over our 40-year history that are based on our values, our guiding principles and the culture of our company."
Not everything is about the bottom line, he says.
"I think when you are on the right side of your values and you believe strongly that the decisions you're making will make your people proud and will satisfy the majority of your customers, in the long run things are going to be good," says Mr Schultz.
Starbucks is run as an independent franchise in New Zealand.
