Central Florida reacts to viral Starbucks video, new training initiative

Starbucks is adding employee training sessions after a video showing two black men being arrested in a Philadelphia store went viral.

On May 29, more than 8,000 stores will close for an afternoon as 175,000 employees undergo racial bias training.

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson apologized to the two men involved.

The men wanted to use the restroom, but the manager told them no because they didn’t make a purchase. The manager no longer works for the company.

They refused to leave because they were waiting on a friend, and the manager called 911 saying the men were trespassing.

The men were not charged.

The video gained national attention and has gone viral on social media.

“We get people from all walks of life,” said Shontia Orr, a food service worker in Orlando. “If they ask where the bathroom is, I say, ‘Right to the back.’”

Customers react to video:

Central Florida Starbucks customers said the training is a step in the right direction.

“It will definitely help, but it’s 20 years too late,” said customer Lendale Minnis.

Richard Montes, a human resources manager at another company, said the training is crucial.

Related: Video showing arrest of two black men at Starbucks sparks outrage

“We conduct training because we want to make sure that we are addressing issues and making sure they don’t happen again,” he said.

Most of the Starbucks stores in Central Florida are company owned. However, training materials will be provided to privately owned Starbucks locations as well. The materials will also be shared with other companies.

The company said it's receiving guidance from civil rights groups and former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on the training materials.

WATCH: 2 men arrested at Starbucks after asking to use restroom

Cox Media Group