A video posted to TikTok last week shows a Cinnabon employee in Wisconsin shouting racist slurs at a black Somali Muslim couple, leading the franchise to terminate her immediately.
The Incident
The clip, captured on a Friday at a Cinnabon in Ashwaubenon, a suburb of Green Bay, shows the employee telling the couple “I am racist” and directing the N‑word at them. She also shouted, “you could see me squeezing it through that witch craft bandanah you’re wearing on the top of your head,” referring to the woman’s hijab. The video also shows the employee giving the couple two middle fingers and threatening to throw water on the woman recording.
Company Response
A Cinnabon spokesperson described the video as “deeply troubling.” The company said, “The individual seen in the video was immediately terminated by the franchise owner. Their actions and statements are completely unacceptable and in no way reflect the values of Cinnabon, our franchisees, or the welcoming environment we expect for every guest and team member.” The spokesperson added that the company remains committed to ensuring customers are treated with respect and kindness. The confrontation took place at an independently owned and operated location at the Bay Park Square mall.
Community Reaction
An online fundraiser set up to support the employee has raised nearly $100,000 as of Sunday night. Attempts to reach the worker by phone were unsuccessful Sunday night, and attempts to contact the couple were not immediately successful. Contributing donors include Joe Kottke and Meriam Bouarrouj.
Key Takeaways
- The Cinnabon employee was fired immediately after a video showed her using racist slurs toward a black Somali Muslim couple.
- The company condemned the incident, calling it “deeply troubling” and reaffirmed its commitment to respect and kindness.
- A fundraiser for the employee has raised almost $100,000, while contact attempts with the employee and couple remain pending.
The incident underscores the importance of respectful behavior in public spaces and the swift repercussions that can follow when those standards are breached.
