Starbucks Dismisses Worker After Deputy Receives Cup with Controversial Imagery

2026-01-13 companies

Norwalk, Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
Starbucks swiftly terminated an employee for serving a deputy a cup with a pig drawing, prioritizing brand reputation despite claims the image referenced a viral internet meme.

Personnel Action Follows Controversy in Norwalk

Starbucks (SBUX) has confirmed that an employee at its Norwalk, California location is no longer with the company following an incident on January 9, 2026, involving a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy [1][2]. The separation, announced on Monday, January 12, came after the deputy received a beverage cup featuring a hand-drawn image of a pig during a shift break [2][5]. While the company has described the drawing as a misguided attempt to reference a viral internet meme, the imagery—historically used as a derogatory symbol against police—prompted immediate engagement from high-ranking law enforcement officials and a swift internal investigation by the coffee chain [1][5].

Navigating Public Perception and Law Enforcement Relations

The incident occurred at the Starbucks located at Firestone Boulevard and Pioneer Boulevard in Norwalk [3]. Deputy Brandon Longoria, who was in the middle of a 16-hour shift, reported receiving the cup, noting that the experience left him feeling “uneasy” and “disrespected” [4][8]. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna intervened directly, contacting the company’s corporate security division to demand accountability and express formal concern regarding the treatment of department personnel [1][2]. In response, Starbucks issued multiple apologies to both the deputy and the Sheriff’s Department, emphasizing that the employee’s actions were unacceptable and did not reflect the company’s values or its appreciation for law enforcement [1][5].

The ‘John Pork’ Defense and Workplace Standards

A central element of the controversy involves the employee’s intent. A Starbucks spokesperson stated that the drawing was meant to depict “John Pork,” a computer-generated character with a pig’s head that became a viral meme on platforms like TikTok and Instagram [2][4]. The drawing reportedly included the words “accept” and “decline,” mimicking the interface of an incoming phone call associated with the meme [8]. Despite this context, the company determined that the imagery was inappropriate for customer service interaction [5]. The swift termination highlights the precarious balance retail giants must maintain when frontline staff introduce internet subculture into professional environments, particularly when such symbols carry dual meanings that can be interpreted as hostile toward specific community groups [2][3].

Sources

Brand Reputation Employee Conduct