Starbucks CEO apologizes for unfair treatment of black men
Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson on Wednesday discussed the controversial arrest of two African-American men at a Philadelphia Starbucks for allegedly trespassing.
“I had the opportunity to apologize to those two gentlemen for what happened to them – they didn’t deserve that,” Johnson, who called the Tuesday meeting “very productive” and “positive,” told FOX Business’ Cheryl Casone on “Mornings with Maria” on Wednesday.
Johnson said the discussion focused on how use the incident as an example to turn a “terrible incident and turn it into something good.”
The coffee chain on Tuesday announced it would close more than 8,000 company-owned stores in the U.S. in late May to conduct racial-bias training. It is estimated that the move would cost millions, but Johnson said it’s his responsibility to “take appropriate action to make sure it never happens again.”
“Certainly what happened in our store that resulted in the arrest of these two young men was reprehensible – it shouldn’t have happened,” he said, adding that the employee who called 911 no longer works at the company.
Johnson also met with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, law enforcement and community leaders to ensure a similar situation doesn’t happen again.
When asked about changing store policies, Johnson said: “We are looking at all aspects of this.”