Starbucks employee fired in Middletown, Ohio after writing “racist’s fav drink” on cup for customer who ordered Charlie Kirk’s drink
A Kroger-operated Starbucks in Middletown, Ohio, fired an employee on Sept. 21, 2025, after she wrote “racist’s fav drink” on a customer’s cup when the customer ordered the drink associated with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Key takeaways
- What happened: A customer, Autumn Perkins, received a cup labeled “racist’s fav drink” after ordering the Mint Majesty with two honeys associated with Charlie Kirk — the employee later admitted to writing it. (Fox News, Meaww)
- Action taken: The store manager confronted the worker, who admitted responsibility; Kroger terminated the employee immediately and Starbucks called the message unacceptable. (Ground News, Meaww)
- Location & date: Kroger-operated Starbucks at Middletown, Ohio — incident occurred Sunday evening, Sept. 21, 2025. (Fox News)
Incident details
What the customer reports: Autumn Perkins said she ordered a Mint Majesty with two honeys — the beverage popularly linked to Charlie Kirk — at the Kroger store’s Starbucks counter. When she received the cup she noticed writing along the side: “racist’s fav drink.”
Perkins immediately brought the cup to the store manager’s attention. Store staff acknowledged the message and, according to local reporting, the employee admitted to writing it. (Meaww, Fox News)
Customer reaction
“It’s time for people to stop this nonsense. Actions have repercussions,” Perkins told reporters, noting she will no longer shop there and has encouraged family members to do the same.
Perkins emphasized the need for civility: “We can’t communicate and grow if we’re disrespecting each other.” She also said she agreed with the termination: “I would agree that people should be fired if they’re doing something like this.” (Sources: Meaww, Fox News)
Corporate statements and policies
Company responses: Kroger, which operates the licensed Starbucks at that location, confirmed the associate was terminated for violating company standards and said the behavior was inconsistent with its values. Starbucks said the message was unacceptable and reiterated policies that prohibit negative messages to customers. Neither company offered additional personnel details citing privacy policies. (Fox News, Ground News)
Internet and public reaction
Images of the cup and Perkins’ account spread quickly online after local and national outlets published the story. Many social media users supported Kroger’s decision, noting employees in customer-facing roles must separate personal views from service duties. Commenters also highlighted that private employers can discipline staff for conduct that violates company policy. (Meaww)
Media coverage
The incident was reported by national and local outlets. Coverage included Fox News, Ground News, and Meaww, with aggregators such as AOL amplifying the story.
Legal and labor context
No legal actions were reported. Media noted the distinction between protected speech under the First Amendment and private employers’ rights to enforce workplace codes of conduct. Observers described the case as a reminder that personal expressions on the job can carry employment consequences.
Implications for United States
Economic: Local sales and brand perception can be affected when customers boycott; Kroger’s rapid termination appears intended to limit reputational and economic fallout. (Fox News, Meaww)
Political & social: The episode touches national debates over political expression, workplace standards, and civility, and may prompt businesses to revisit training and hiring for customer-facing roles.
Practical applications for residents
- Customers who prefer neutral service can report incidents to store management or take business elsewhere.
- Employers and franchise operators may use this case to review training and reinforce policies that separate personal views from customer service.
Sources
- Fox News: “Customer orders Charlie Kirk’s Starbucks drink, finds disturbing hate message”
- Meaww: “Employee fired after Charlie Kirk’s go-to Starbucks order comes with hateful message”
- Ground News: “Customer orders Charlie Kirk’s Starbucks drink, finds disturbing hate message”
- AOL: “Customer orders Charlie Kirk Starbucks”
