A Burger King employee, who gained viral fame for single-handedly running an entire restaurant, claims she has now been fired. Nykia Hamilton became an internet sensation in July after working a 12-hour shift alone at a location in Columbia, South Carolina.
The mother-of-three managed all stations by herself, including the front counter, drive-thru, cooking, and cleaning. A customer’s video, praising her for doing “everything by herself,” propelled the story to national attention.
Hamilton explained that the severe staff shortage was due to an employee quitting without notice. She described the immense pressure of handling every task alone to keep the restaurant operating.
In a recent TikTok update, Hamilton stated that Burger King terminated her employment. She claimed the reason given was lateness due to her childcare responsibilities, asserting, “My kids come first.”
The 25-year-old also spoke about the negative impact her sudden fame has had on her mental health, saying it has left her feeling “aggravated” and “depressed.”
Following her job loss, Hamilton set up a GoFundMe page to support her family. The fundraiser has been remarkably successful, receiving over $64,000 in donations at the time of writing.
Prior to her dismissal, Hamilton had expressed the difficulty of balancing long shifts with being a single mother, often missing time with her children to provide for them. UNILAD has contacted Burger King for a statement on the matter.
