What Starbucks Said After Staff Refused To Write 'Charlie Kirk' On Cup

Starbucks has issued a response following public backlash after a California barista declined to write "Charlie Kirk" on a customer's cup, citing company policy. The incident, which has gained widespread attention on TikTok, has ignited conversations about the coffee chain's stance on political expressions, personal names, and messaging on their products.

Kirk, a conservative political activist, was fatally shot on September 10 while attending a public event in Orem, Utah.

A viral TikTok video captured the interaction where a customer ordering Mint Majesty tea – reportedly a favorite beverage of the late Turning Point USA co-founder – requested Kirk's name be written on the cup. The employee refused, explaining that Starbucks does not permit political names on orders.

"We cannot use political names, but it [the register] did not even ask for a name to begin with, so it's going to be $3.75," the barista informed the customer, as reported by The Independent.

The customer later claimed, "Starbucks refused to write or say Charlie Kirk's name. I never went in discussing politics, just mentioned his name to have it written on my cup to honour him."

On September 16, Starbucks released a statement clarifying that writing a customer's preferred name – even that of a well-known political figure like Charlie Kirk – is acceptable within their policy. "When a customer wants to use a different name... we aim to respect their preference," the company stated.

Starbucks emphasized that their concern isn't with customers requesting specific names, but rather with attempts to include slogans, politically charged expressions, or objectionable content on cups.

"Having a name, rather than a number, attached to a customer order has been a core part of the Starbucks coffeehouse experience for decades," the company explained in their official response.

According to Starbucks, there have been previous incidents where customers have requested political statements be written on their cups. "And in some cases, as their 'name,' they provided words that are sexually explicit or otherwise offensive," the statement continued.

The company noted that current guidelines instruct baristas to "respectfully ask the customer to use a different name" if requested wording appears to contain political slogans or inappropriate language.

However, Starbucks clearly stated that "names, on their own, can be used by customers on their cafe order, as they wish."