Starbucks manager who called cops on black customers no longer employed at company

After a livid protest from the community, the manager who called police to the Starbucks at 18th and Spruce Street last Thursday has parted ways with the company, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. A spokeswoman for the company said it was a “mutual” decision.

On Thursday, April 12, cops arrested two black men for waiting for a friend in the Starbucks lobby in Philadelphia. They were accused of trespassing.

On Monday, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson apologized for the incident on Good Morning America. “The circumstances surrounding the incident and the outcome in our store on Thursday were reprehensible. They were wrong,” Johnson said. “For that, I personally apologize to the two gentlemen that visited our store.”

In a statement, Johnson said that he hopes to apologize in person to the young men arrested. He also noted that the situation does not align with Starbucks mission and goals to create a safe and welcoming environment.

"In the coming days, I will be joining our regional vice president, Camille Hymes—who is on the ground in Philadelphia—to speak with partners, customers and community leaders as well as law enforcement," he said. "Most importantly, I hope to meet personally with the two men who were arrested to offer a face-to-face apology."

"Creating an environment that is both safe and welcoming for everyone is paramount for every store," he said. Regretfully, our practices and training led to a bad outcome—the basis for the call to the Philadelphia police department was wrong. Our store manager never intended for these men to be arrested and this should never have escalated as it did."

The two men have since been released.