Kroger employee fired after ‘racist’s fav drink’ scrawled on cup for customer who ordered Charlie Kirk drink — Starbucks Middletown hate message draws swift corporate response
A Starbucks counter inside a Kroger in Middletown, Ohio, drew national attention after customer Autumn Perkins received a cup marked “racist’s fav drink,” leading Kroger to fire the employee and prompting statements from both Kroger and Starbucks.
Key takeaways
- Customer: Autumn Perkins, Middletown, Ohio, reported she was “startled” by the message.
- Drink ordered: The tea associated with Charlie Kirk — a mint majesty with two honeys.
- Offensive message: The cup was marked “racist’s fav drink,” according to local reporting.
- Employer action: Kroger says the employee admitted writing the message and was fired.
What happened
On a Sunday evening, Autumn Perkins ordered a tea at a Starbucks counter inside a Kroger grocery store in Middletown, Ohio. She requested the beverage associated with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk — a mint majesty with two honeys — and later discovered the cup had “racist’s fav drink” written on the side, according to local reporting and national outlets.
Perkins told reporters she was “startled” by the message and described the act as “nonsense” that should stop. She reported the matter to the store manager before leaving the location, according to the initial accounts cited by reporters.
Employer response and discipline
Kroger confirmed the worker admitted to writing the message and that the employee was terminated. In a statement, Kroger said the conduct “does not reflect Kroger’s values.” The company emphasized the action was taken after an internal review, citing the employee’s admission.
Starbucks also commented, calling the conduct “unacceptable” and reminding the public that some Starbucks locations inside other retailers operate under license agreements. Starbucks noted it expects partners and licensees to maintain a welcoming environment for all customers.
Local and national coverage
The story was first reported by local outlets and quickly picked up by national news organizations, partly because the order referenced Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative commentator. Coverage emphasized the political overtones and Kroger’s prompt action to terminate the employee.
Immediate accounts and company statements were reported by Local 12 in Cincinnati (WLWT) and Fox News. Additional summaries and national attention were tracked by aggregation outlets such as ground.news and international feeds like Noticias Fox News.
Perkins’ reaction and broader concerns
Perkins said she no longer plans to patronize Starbucks and indicated she would encourage family members to avoid the brand as well. She framed the incident as part of a larger need for mutual respect across political differences:
“We don’t have to agree on everything. We can disagree on a lot of things, but we respect each other.”
Her response has been cited in coverage that highlights how frontline interactions can reflect wider cultural and political debates, prompting calls for clearer workplace boundaries around political expression.
Legal and policy context
There are no public reports of a criminal investigation tied to the incident. Coverage indicates the case was handled internally, with Kroger terminating employment as its primary remedy. Both Kroger and Starbucks maintain policies prohibiting offensive or harassing messages on customers’ orders; company officials reiterated those standards after the incident.
Why the story matters
This event touches on public debates about the role of political expression in the workplace, how companies enforce conduct policies for front-line employees, and where to draw the line between protected speech and workplace harassment. For customers and employees, it raises practical questions about public interactions and business responsibilities in diverse communities.
Implications for Coachella Valley
Though the incident occurred in Middletown, Ohio, similar episodes can have local consequences in places like the Coachella Valley:
Economic impact
- Local spending decisions may shift; boycotts or changed patronage of grocery-anchored coffee outlets can affect daily sales.
- Even isolated incidents can shape brand perception among politically active customers.
Political consequences
- In mixed or conservative-leaning communities, such stories can amplify concerns about perceived bias by national brands and produce calls for clearer oversight of in-store contractors or licensees.
Social and cultural effects
- Incidents framed as political or personal attacks can heighten local tensions, especially during election cycles.
- Community groups may see increased demand for forums that promote respectful public discourse.
Practical applications for residents and businesses
- For business owners/managers: Update training and review policies prohibiting offensive messaging; ensure clarity for staff and contractors.
- For customers: Report offensive behavior to store managers and document incidents when possible to help companies respond.
- For community leaders: Use local forums to reinforce norms of mutual respect, de‑escalation, and customer-service standards.
On-the-ground next steps
Local store operators, franchise managers and grocery chains serving regions such as the Coachella Valley should consider routine reminders to staff about conduct and signage policies. Prompt, transparent action and clear communication to affected customers can reduce community friction.
Reporting and source attribution
This article draws on contemporaneous reporting and company statements from outlets that covered the incident, including Local 12, Fox News, and aggregation summaries such as ground.news and Noticias Fox News. The URLs cited in reporting were used to verify statements and corporate responses.
