Smoothie King Fires Two Workers After Refusing Service Over Trump Sweatshirt; Viral Video Sparks Questions on Free Speech, Franchise Rules
ANN ARBOR, MI — Two employees at a franchised Smoothie King in Ann Arbor were fired after refusing service to Jake and Erika Lindemyer because Jake wore a President Donald Trump sweatshirt, a viral TikTok video that raised discrimination concerns.
Key takeaways
- Refusal of service: Two employees at a franchised Smoothie King in Ann Arbor refused service to a couple after one employee said she was uncomfortable with the man’s Trump sweatshirt, according to video of the interaction and reporting.
- Viral posting: The couple’s video was posted by Erika Lindemyer to TikTok and shared on Facebook, where she called the refusal “DISCRIMINATION” and the clip quickly circulated online (reporting).
- Franchise action: Smoothie King said the franchise owner investigated, the two employees “are no longer with the business,” and that mandatory retraining on guest experience standards would follow (company statement).
- Aftermath: One employee later posted her account defending the action on TikTok, and a GoFundMe reportedly created to support the employees was later removed (reporting).
What happened at the Ann Arbor Smoothie King
Video shared by the couple shows a brief, tense exchange after the Lindemyers entered the restaurant. Erika Lindemyer asked if everything was okay after noticing staff discomfort. According to the recorded exchange, one employee replied, “We don’t feel comfortable serving you because of my husband’s hoodie,” and directed the couple to leave. The other employee is heard saying, “Trump discriminates against us,” to which Erika answered: “That has nothing to do with us wanting a smoothie!” (video and reporting).
As the argument escalated, employees repeatedly told the couple to “Have a great day” while pointing toward the door. One worker asserted a right to refuse service. The exchange, recorded by Erika and posted to TikTok on Monday, quickly spread online and drew national attention. Erika also posted the clip on Facebook with the caption:
“I’m disgusted as a AMERICAN CITIZEN! I loved Smoothie King and was refused service over my husbands sweatshirt!!!! Talk about DISCRIMINATION!!!!”
(reporting).
Company response and franchise action
Smoothie King’s corporate account posted on X that the brand is “committed to ensuring our stores are a place free of discrimination of any kind, where every guest and team member is treated with care and respect.” The post said the franchise owner investigated the incident and “has taken immediate action and the two employees involved are no longer with the business.” The company said the franchise owner and corporate team apologized repeatedly to the Lindemyers and planned mandatory retraining for all employees on guest experience standards, with further steps to enforce those policies. The post had been viewed hundreds of thousands of times by Tuesday (reporting).
One of the workers later posted her account on TikTok defending the refusal to serve, and a GoFundMe titled “Support for Safety After Online Harassment” was reportedly created on their behalf before being taken down. Local and national outlets picked up the story as the video circulated (reporting).
Why the case matters: customer rights, employee judgment and franchise responsibility
The incident highlights three tensions businesses face in politically charged environments:
- Customer rights and expectations: Many patrons expect service regardless of personal or political views. For the Lindemyers, being denied entry over a sweatshirt felt like discrimination and a denial of service for expressing political views during a routine transaction.
- Employee discretion and workplace safety: Employees may feel threatened or uncomfortable when confronted with political symbols. Staff sometimes cite safety or workplace culture when making on-the-spot decisions; the worker in Ann Arbor said she felt uncomfortable and later argued she had the right to refuse service.
- Franchise oversight and brand protection: As a franchise location, the owner hires and supervises staff, but the national brand faces reputational risk. Smoothie King’s corporate statement and the franchise owner’s removal of the employees show how franchisors may act quickly to protect brand standards and public trust.
All three forces collided in Ann Arbor. Smoothie King moved quickly to condemn discrimination, remove the employees, and promise retraining — actions intended to protect guests and the brand. At the same time, supporters of the employees argued they were exercising judgment or responding to safety concerns (reporting).
Social media, virality and the court of public opinion
The episode shows how quickly local incidents can become national stories. The Lindemyers’ TikTok and social posts spread rapidly, and Smoothie King’s X post drew significant attention. Social platforms amplify reactions and can push brands and franchisees to act fast — sometimes before a full, formal review or legal process.
Online backlash can also create safety issues for employees; the removed GoFundMe suggests attempts to support staff facing harassment after the video reached a wide audience (reporting).
Implications for Utah
The case offers several lessons for Utah businesses, leaders and residents:
- Business policies and franchise training: Clear, written guest-service policies and staff training can prevent confusion when political topics arise. Franchise owners should review escalation procedures so employees know how to handle uncomfortable situations without denying service or inflaming confrontations (reporting).
- Free expression and customer expectations: Many Utah residents value freedom of speech; refusals of service based solely on political clothing could provoke strong reactions and political debate. Businesses should balance employee comfort with customers’ rights to express political views through attire.
- Political polarization and practical effects: Political polarization can spill into everyday life. Businesses in Utah should expect politically charged items and plan responses so staff can act calmly, lawfully and consistently.
- Safety and employee support: Employers must consider staff safety and provide de-escalation training and clear reporting channels so employees do not take unilateral actions like denying service.
- Political and legal considerations for local leaders: Refusal of service over political apparel raises public debate more than definitive legal questions. Local officials and business groups may use incidents like this to advocate for clearer norms or remind businesses of obligations to customers and employees.
Reporting and sources
This account is based on the viral video posted by Erika Lindemyer and reporting by Times Media Service and other outlets, with Smoothie King’s statement and details of the franchise owner’s actions reported by CBS Austin. Smoothie King’s statement and reporting of the incident are available at: Smoothie King statement and coverage on CBS Austin.
Additional reporting and the video posted by the Lindemyers were circulated on TikTok and Facebook as the story spread. The franchise owner informed Smoothie King corporate that it took immediate action following the investigation and planned mandatory retraining for all employees on guest experience standards (reporting).
