Burger King has issued a response after a South Carolina employee who went viral for running a restaurant single-handedly revealed she had been dismissed.
The worker, 25-year-old Nykia Hamilton, captured widespread attention after a video emerged showing her juggling multiple responsibilities at a Burger King branch in Columbia. The clip showed Hamilton cooking, taking orders, handling the drive-thru, and cleaning the store without any support staff. Viewers were astonished by her determination, praising her for managing what many considered an impossible workload.
Despite the praise, Hamilton said her employment came to an abrupt end. Speaking to the New York Post, Burger King clarified that staffing decisions and terminations are handled by its franchisees, not the corporate office.
“Terminations are the decision of the franchisees who own and operate the BK restaurant,” a spokesperson explained. “In this situation, the franchisee confirmed that the individual involved is no longer employed due to repeated attendance issues.”
However, the company also acknowledged the staffing problem, stating: “No team member should ever be left to run a restaurant alone, even for a short period of time. That’s not how we operate, and we’re disappointed that our policy, which required more than one team member per shift, wasn’t followed.”
Hamilton, a single mother of three, said her lateness was due to childcare challenges. “Burger King doesn’t pay for a babysitter and my kids come first,” she said, explaining that she often struggled to balance her parental responsibilities with her demanding schedule.
Her story struck a chord online, with many sympathizing with her circumstances. After the viral video, a GoFundMe campaign raised over $90,000 to support Hamilton and her children.
The emotional impact of her viral moment was underscored when her son commented on the video, writing: “I know my mama love me.”
While her time at Burger King has ended, Hamilton is now exploring new opportunities, including a budding interest in comedy. Her story has highlighted both the resilience of frontline workers and ongoing concerns about staffing practices within fast-food franchises.
