Cinnabon Worker Fired After Racist Outburst at Wisconsin Mall
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A Cinnabon employee in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, was swiftly terminated after a video circulated online showing her engaging in a racist outburst directed at two customers. The Georgia-based cinnamon roll chain confirmed the immediate dismissal, emphasizing the incident’s incompatibility with the company’s values.
The incident, which unfolded on Friday at a mall in Ashwaubenon, a suburb of Green Bay, quickly gained traction after being posted to TikTok. Cinnabon released a statement on social media, asserting that the worker’s actions were “completely unacceptable” and did not reflect the standards expected of its employees or franchise owners.
Incident Details Emerge
According to reports, the confrontation began when a customer requested additional caramel on her caramel pecan cinnamon roll, feeling the initial amount was insufficient. The situation escalated when the employee reportedly “snapped” at the customer and made disparaging remarks about her hijab. The customer then began recording the encounter, capturing the employee’s escalating behavior.
The video reveals the employee verbally abusing the customers, including uttering a racial slur and proclaiming, “I am racist and I’ll say it to the whole entire world. Don’t be disrespectful.” She is also seen making an obscene gesture and exchanging expletives with one of the individuals present.
Community Response and Fundraising Efforts
The customers involved have been identified through an online fundraising campaign as a “black Somali Muslim couple” who experienced significant trauma as a result of the incident. The campaign aims to provide support to the couple following the ordeal.
However, a separate fundraising effort has emerged, purportedly to benefit the fired employee, and has already raised tens of thousands of dollars. This campaign is hosted on the same Christian crowdfunding platform that previously facilitated a substantial fundraising drive for a Minnesota woman who admitted to using a racial slur against a Black child earlier this year.
Cinnabon’s Response and Broader Implications
A company representative added in a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday that Cinnabon is committed to fostering a “welcoming environment” for all guests and team members. The swift action taken by the franchise owner underscores the severity with which the company views the employee’s conduct.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges businesses face in addressing and preventing discrimination within their workplaces. It also raises questions about the role of social media in amplifying instances of bias and the complex dynamics of public response, including the emergence of support for individuals engaging in hateful behavior.
