Black Riffle Controversy (black rifle coffee company drama explained + everything you need to know)
Black Rifle coffee company is known for its quality coffee and its support towards veterans. However, it has been involved in a number of controversies over the years. So, what is the Black Riffle Controversy? Read on to know.
Black Riffle has been involved with two major controversies since it opened its business, one with Starbucks and the other linked with the extremist group. I did not know more about the Black Riffle coffee other than that it produced among the best coffees on the market until 2017, when it clashed with another giant coffee chain, Starbucks. Additionally, in 2020, it was involved in another controversy and was linked to Kyle Rittenhouse, a boy who had been accused of murder. In this post, I will explain in depth how Black Riffle coffee was connected to these two incidences and where it currently stands as a company.
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Black Riffle controversy with Starbucks
The Black Riffle Coffee controversy with Starbucks happened in 2017, shortly after the then-president of the United States, Donald Trump, issued a travel ban to certain countries. The president intended to protect the United States from any foreign Terrorist Entry into the country.
The people that were going to be affected by Donald Trump’s ban were mostly from Muslim countries. These countries included Yemen, Tanzania, Venezuela, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Somalia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Iran, Iraq, Chad, and Eritrea.
Starbucks did not support the president’s suggestion and announced the action they would take as a company to support the refugees from the affected countries. Starbucks then vowed to hire 10,000 refugees as a way of helping them cater to their livelihoods.
Their fellow coffee giant company Black Riffle did not support the idea by Starbucks, as they publicly showed their support for President Trump’s support. To challenge Starbucks, Black Rifle vowed to hire 10,000 veterans who fought for America instead of hiring non-Americans.
Their controversy continued, as Starbucks reminded the people that it had vowed years ago and even ran a campaign in 2013 to hire at least 5,000 veterans per year and was only going to hire the refugees as they are an inclusive company. Starbucks has since hired over 26,000 veterans, while Black Rifle’s coffee employees comprise over 80% of veterans.
Black Riffle controversy with extremist groups
The Black Rifle controversy with extremist groups took place in 2020 after the company was alleged to be in support of some extremist groups such as the Proud Boys. This all started on August 25th, 2020, after a 17-year-old boy named Kyle Howard Rittenhouse was alleged to shooting two men while leaving another man with injuries in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The incident happened during the riots and protests that had been made following the shooting of another black man, Jacob Blake, by a white police officer. Kyle was among the armed people in the demonstrations with an AR-15-style rifle.
Kyle Rittenhouse was then arrested and charged with multiple charges, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, first-degree intentional homicide, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 years. However, he was released on a bail of $2 million after his verdict was not guilty on all charges.
The Black Riffle coffee had not been involved in this incident until the day the 17-year-old Kyle was released. He was pictured putting on a Black Riffle Company T-shirt with the words, “Kyle Rittenhouse drinks the best coffee in America @blckriflecoffe.” This angered most of the public, who accused Black Rifle of funding and associating with extremist groups.
Responding to the accusations, Black Riffle Coffee CEO Evan Hafer released a statement saying that his company was in no way linked to the group and did not want to profit from the tragic incident. With time, the matter was forgotten by the public as everyone went on with their business.
Although the company has been involved in several controversies, it has managed to keep its business at the top, and its coffee is still among the best coffee on the market. Black Riffle company has also continued to support various charity organizations linked to the military and has also continued to employ more veterans in their company.
FAQ Section
Does Black Rifle only employ veterans?
Black Rifle does not only employ veterans. However, since a veteran founded it on hiring retired veterans, Black Rifle focuses on hiring more veterans than regular American citizens.
Does Black Rifle have a feud with Starbucks?
Black Rifle does not seem to have a feud with Starbucks after the 2017 incident again, as it was only showing its support to President Trump. However, Starbucks and Black Riffle, and two big coffee giants located in the same state, might compete in business.