Dallas coffee chain faces backlash after staff walkout over ICE discount

White Rhino Coffee says it's caught in a political firestorm after a dispute over a first responder discount policy.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:47pm

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A growing Dallas-based coffee chain, White Rhino Coffee, is facing severe online backlash and threats of boycotts after a walkout by several employees over whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were entitled to a first responder discount. The company's leadership insists ICE officers were never formally included in the discount, which they have since clarified to only include local police, firefighters, and EMTs. However, the controversy has taken a toll on the 20-year-old coffee chain, which also owns Emporium Pies.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the divisive political climate surrounding immigration enforcement and the challenges businesses can face when caught in the middle of such debates. White Rhino's experience shows how a seemingly innocuous policy decision can quickly escalate into a public relations crisis that threatens to damage a company's reputation and bottom line.

The details

The controversy began when the manager at White Rhino's Downtown Dallas location quit and posted a message on Facebook stating that she was told "these murderous mercenaries" (referring to ICE officers) were "not only welcome at our table but encouraged to patron our shops by offering them a First Responder discount." This prompted a walkout by several employees. White Rhino's leadership has since clarified that ICE officers were never formally included in the first responder discount, which is intended to "reward local heroes, local police officers, firefighters, EMTs." However, the company says it has faced severe online backlash and threats of boycotts as a result of the incident.

  • Last week, the manager at White Rhino's Downtown Dallas location quit and posted a message about ICE officers on Facebook.
  • White Rhino's cafes were forced to close for nearly a week due to a winter storm.

The players

White Rhino Coffee

A growing Dallas-based coffee chain with 200 employees and 11 locations in the DFW area, promoting itself as a welcoming environment for everyone.

Sara Escamilla

The CEO of White Rhino Coffee.

Emporium Pies

A company also owned by White Rhino Coffee.

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What they’re saying

“We always say we've been creating community around coffee.”

— Sara Escamilla, CEO, White Rhino Coffee

“Our first responder discount has been something for a long time that has been very broad, and our shop managers have had autonomy to determine who receives it or not.”

— Sara Escamilla, CEO, White Rhino Coffee

“I was told that these murderous mercenaries are not only welcome at our table but encouraged to patron our shops by offering them a First Responder discount. This put me in a position to either compromise everything I believe in or abandon my team. Considering this call from leadership, I gladly exit my position as Shop Manager.”

— Former White Rhino shop manager (Facebook)

What’s next

White Rhino believes the controversy will negatively affect its business on top of the winter storm, which forced its cafes to close for nearly a week. The company can only hope the outrage, along with the ice, will thaw out over time.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges businesses can face when caught in the middle of divisive political debates. White Rhino's experience shows how a seemingly innocuous policy decision can quickly escalate into a public relations crisis that threatens to damage a company's reputation and bottom line, underscoring the need for businesses to carefully navigate sensitive political issues.