Middletown Starbucks cup labeled “racist’s fav drink”; employee fired after customer reports message
A Middletown woman, Autumn Perkins, received a Starbucks drink at a Kroger store labeled “racist’s fav drink” after ordering a mint Majesty tied to commentator Charlie Kirk; the employee admitted writing it and was fired.
Key takeaways
- Location: Incident occurred at a Starbucks counter inside a Kroger in Middletown, Ohio (Local 12 report on the Middletown incident).
- Customer: Autumn Perkins ordered a mint Majesty with two honeys — a drink associated in media with Charlie Kirk (Fox News coverage).
- Outcome: Employee admitted writing “racist’s fav drink” on the cup and was terminated by Kroger; both Kroger and Starbucks condemned the behavior.
Main story
What happened
On a recent Sunday, Autumn Perkins placed an order at the Starbucks counter inside the Kroger in Middletown. She ordered a mint Majesty tea with two honeys — a drink that media outlets have linked to conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. When Perkins picked up her beverage she discovered the words “racist’s fav drink” written on the cup. Disturbed, she immediately reported the message to the store manager (Sources: Local 12; Fox News).
Manager response and firing
The manager confronted the employee, who admitted to writing the message. Kroger — which operates the store and licenses the Starbucks counter — terminated the worker that day. Both Kroger and Starbucks issued statements saying the behavior violated company policy and did not reflect their values (Sources: Local 12; Fox News).
Customer reaction and local response
Perkins told reporters she would no longer patronize Starbucks and encouraged family members to follow suit. She stressed the importance of respect across differing views:
“We can disagree on a lot of things, but we respect each other. We can’t communicate and grow if we’re disrespecting each other.”
The incident drew attention beyond Middletown as local and national outlets picked up the story (Sources: Local 12; Fox News).
Why the story spread
The story combined brand visibility, politics and social tension: a widely recognized coffee chain, a drink linked to conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, and a blunt label tying the beverage to a political judgment. That mix prompted coverage about civility, free expression and corporate response (Sources: Fox News; Ground News aggregation).
Corporate policy and workplace conduct
Both Starbucks and Kroger emphasize policies prohibiting hateful or hostile messages toward customers. The rapid termination signaled Kroger viewed the act as a clear violation of its standards. The episode also raises questions about training, oversight and enforcement at licensed in-store counters (Sources: Local 12; Fox News).
What we cannot confirm
Reports do not provide a precise calendar date beyond “Sunday” and do not identify the fired employee by name. While sources state the worker admitted writing the message and Kroger confirmed termination, there is no public record in reporting of additional disciplinary steps or legal action (Sources: Local 12; Fox News).
Broader context
This incident fits into ongoing national conversations about civility, public expression and how employers respond when staff act on personal views at work. Similar episodes have prompted policy reviews and retraining at national chains. For brands, the balance is enforcing rules that protect customers while respecting lawful employee expression.
Implications for Redding, California
Economic: Incidents like this can affect customer loyalty; local businesses and national chains in Redding may see shoppers reassess patronage after perceived disrespect.
Political: In communities with prominent conservative views, stories of perceived bias can become flashpoints and draw calls for comment from local leaders.
Social and cultural: The episode highlights how cultural disagreements surface in everyday settings and may prompt community discussions about respectful disagreement and civic tone.
Practical applications
- Shoppers should check order labels and report inappropriate conduct to store managers.
- Employers and licensed counters should consider refresher training on customer service and non-discrimination policies.
- Community groups may use incidents like this to host conversations about civility and mutual respect.
Source links for reference
Reporting by Times Media Service in Middletown. Coverage and related reporting are available from:
- Local 12 report on the Middletown incident
- Fox News coverage
- Fox News Spanish-language report
- Ground News aggregation
Note: All facts, statements and URLs above are based on local and national reporting cited in the listed sources.
