Middletown Starbucks cup labeled “racist’s fav drink” after customer orders Charlie Kirk’s beverage; Kroger-operated store fires employee
Lede: A Starbucks customer in Middletown, Ohio, Autumn Perkins, found “racist’s fav drink” handwritten on her cup after ordering Charlie Kirk’s favored Mint Majesty with two honeys; Kroger fired the employee and both firms condemned the act.
Key takeaways
- Customer: Autumn Perkins ordered the Mint Majesty with two honeys, a drink associated with Charlie Kirk (Local12; Fox News).
- Offensive message: The cup was marked “racist’s fav drink”; the employee admitted writing it and was terminated by Kroger (Local12; Fox News; Ground News).
- Company position: Both Kroger (store licensee) and Starbucks condemned the conduct and cited policies prohibiting negative or hateful messages toward customers (Local12; Fox News).
What happened
Event summary: Autumn Perkins visited a Kroger store in Middletown and ordered what she described as the Mint Majesty with two honeys, a drink recently associated with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. When she received her beverage, the cup bore the handwritten phrase “racist’s fav drink”. Perkins reported the incident immediately to the store manager (Local12; Fox News).
Employee response and company action
Local reporting indicates the employee admitted to writing the phrase on the cup. Kroger, which operates the Starbucks counter under license at the store, confirmed it investigated and terminated the worker, saying the conduct did not reflect company values. Starbucks also issued a statement noting the location is a licensed store and reiterating policies against negative messages (Local12; Fox News; Ground News).
Customer reaction
Autumn Perkins described being “disappointed” and said she planned to stop patronizing Starbucks. In her comments to reporters she said,
“It’s time for people to stop this nonsense… Actions have repercussions.”
Perkins emphasized that while people may disagree politically, she expected mutual respect in customer interactions (Local12; Fox News).
Company statements and policy frame
Both companies framed the dismissal within existing policies that prohibit hateful or negative messages directed at customers. Starbucks reiterated its standards for a welcoming environment and noted the store is licensed by Kroger; Kroger described the action as unacceptable and said it did not reflect company values. Such responses align with standard retail and food-service codes of conduct aimed at protecting customers and staff (Local12; Fox News).
Broader coverage and context
Regional and national outlets covered the episode, noting tensions around public political figures and how consumer choices can be interpreted as political signals. Aggregators and other outlets framed the cup message as part of a pattern where orders tied to public figures sometimes spark contentious interactions between customers and staff (Ground News; Meaww).
Service worker conduct and free-speech questions
Experts note these incidents hinge on whether conduct occurs on the job, violates explicit company rules, and whether enforcement is consistent. Here, termination followed an internal admission by the employee; local reporting did not indicate any legal action by the worker (Local12; Fox News).
Political dimension
The drink’s association with Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, added a political lens to the interaction. Media coverage treated the cup message as a direct insult toward a political figure and, by extension, a label applied to the customer’s choice. The episode illustrates how political identities can surface in everyday service settings (Local12; Fox News).
Implications for San Diego
Although the incident occurred in Ohio, San Diego businesses and community groups may see indirect effects. Possible outcomes include localized consumer reactions, renewed staff training on nondiscrimination and respectful service, and public conversations about workplace political expression and policy enforcement. City officials and employers might use the episode to review training, reporting protocols, and community engagement strategies (Local12; Fox News).
Practical applications for residents and employers
Customers are advised to note store policies and request a manager when mistreatment is suspected. Workers and managers should document incidents and follow internal reporting steps. Employers may consider refresher training on nondiscrimination, respectful communication, and handling politically sensitive customer requests to reduce reputational risk.
Reporting and sources
This account draws from regional and national reporting. See original reports:
Note: This article reports the employee dismissal confirmed by Kroger and statements from a Starbucks spokesperson, and includes quotes and details attributed to Autumn Perkins as contained in the cited coverage.
