Starbucks Employee Fired After Parody Song Goes Viral

A Starbucks employee in Chowchilla, California, was fired Tuesday after a parody song he sang about the company went viral on YouTube.

MercuryNews.com reported that Christopher Cristwell, 25, was dismissed after a Starbucks blog reposted the video and it was seen by Starbucks corporate heads.

"They were really cool about it," Cristwell told MercuryNews.com of Starbucks management. "The regional manager complimented me on my creative ability -- not on that specific song -- and then asked me why I did it. They were really trying to find out about my intent behind the videos."

Cristwell said his intent was strictly to satirize his job.

In a follow-up video, he said that he held no ill will toward Starbucks and that he understood why the company fired him.

"I knew the consequences of posting the video online, and I'm not bitter at Starbucks for letting me go, but I am disappointed; it does suck," Cristwell said in the second video.

MercuryNews.com: Starbucks barista in Chowchilla fired over parody song

Starbucks declined to speak with KIRO 7 in an official interview, but did issue this statement:

"While Christopher was expressing his own views in the video, the disparaging remarks about our customers and company are unacceptable and out of line with our commitment to providing a respectful Starbucks Experience to our customers and partners (employees). Given the offensive nature of many of the statements made in the video, Christopher is no longer employed by Starbucks."

Here are both of Cristwell's videos, in full (WARNING: Some content may be considered offensive or not safe for work):