Particle.news
Download on the App Store
15 ARTICLES
·
2w ago

Kroger Fires Starbucks Worker Who Wrote Hateful Message on Charlie Kirk Memorial Drink

The company reiterates a names-only approach that rejects political or negative messages.

Autumn Perkins said she ordered Starbucks drink to support Charlie Kirk but received a hate message. (Image: Facebook/ Autumn Perkins)
A local woman has found herself at the epicenter of the political divide in this country. It happened over something as mundane as ordering a cup of tea at a Middletown Kroger Starbucks counter. (WKRC)
Image
A local woman has found herself at the epicenter of the political divide in this country. It happened over something as mundane as ordering a cup of tea at a Middletown Kroger Starbucks counter. (WKRC)

Overview

  • Autumn Perkins said a Kroger-operated Starbucks in Middletown, Ohio, handed her a cup reading "racist’s fav drink" after she ordered Kirk’s Mint Majesty tea with two honeys on Sunday evening.
  • Perkins reported the incident to the store manager, who told her the employee admitted to writing the message; Kroger terminated the worker and said the behavior violated its values.
  • Starbucks called the writing "unacceptable" and emphasized policies that prohibit negative messages, noting the licensed store is operated by Kroger.
  • Starbucks clarified that customers can request names — including "Charlie Kirk" — but partners should decline political slogans or offensive words offered as names.
  • In a separate Chicago case, store video showed a "loser :)" message was added to a cup after handoff, and the location briefly closed during the review.