Starbucks says baristas should honor requests to use Charlie Kirk’s name on cups after petition

The Brief

Starbucks has issued a statement clarifying its policy on customer names after a petition circulated online asking the company to honor Charlie Kirk by adding his favorite tea to menus.

The coffee giant said customers may use Kirk’s name when ordering drinks in its cafés but stressed that political slogans and offensive words are prohibited.

The backstory:

The company’s clarification came after a TikTok video went viral on Tuesday showing a Starbucks customer ordering Kirk’s favorite Mint Majesty tea and asking that his name be written on the cup. The barista refused, citing a corporate policy against political messages, and instead offered to write "Charlie."

That moment reflected a wider tension baristas say they’ve faced for years. Eight Starbucks employees told Bus