A woman who was recorded shouting racist slurs at a couple in Wisconsin has been fired from the Cinnabon franchise where the outburst occurred.
Video showed the woman telling the couple — described in an online fundraiser as a “black Somali Muslim couple" — "I am racist" and directing the N-word at them. A TikTok user who uploaded the video said the interaction happened Friday at a Cinnabon location in Ashwaubenon, a suburb of Green Bay, and targeted her and her husband.
On Sunday, a Cinnabon spokesperson called the video "deeply troubling."
"The individual seen in the video was immediately terminated by the franchise owner," the spokesperson said. "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 company said it would remain committed to ensuring its customers are treated with respect and kindness.
It said the confrontation took place at an independently owned and operated location at the Bay Park Square mall.
The video does not show how the confrontation started. The TikTok user said it began after she asked the worker for more caramel on her cinnamon roll. The worker replied that “you could see me squeezing it through that witch craft bandanah you’re wearing on the top of your head (basically referring to my hijab……)," according to a caption on the video.
The video also showed the worker displaying two middle fingers at the couple and threatening to throw water on the woman recording.
Cinnabon did not identify the worker. An online fundraiser allegedly set up to benefit her had raised nearly $100,000 as of Sunday night.
Attempts to reach a woman believed to be the worker by phone were unsuccessful Sunday night.
Attempts to reach the couple were not immediately successful.
