Nykia Hamilton, who went viral for running an entire Burger King restaurant alone, has been fired after a report of her tardiness due to childcare responsibilities. She’s now raising funds through GoFundMe.
Nykia Hamilton, the Burger King employee who made headlines last month for running an entire store by herself for 12 hours, has been fired from her position due to tardiness. Hamilton’s incredible work ethic earned her viral fame in July after she was filmed working alone at a Burger King branch in Columbia, South Carolina. On that day, Hamilton was the sole worker, managing every aspect of the restaurant, including preparing food, taking orders, and handling the drive-thru.
A customer who witnessed the tireless employee in action shared the video, which quickly went viral. “She’s doing everything by herself,” the customer said, impressed by Hamilton’s ability to juggle multiple roles.
Hamilton later explained in an emotional interview with WACH Fox 57 that the staff shortage was caused by a co-worker quitting at the last minute. As a result, she had to take on all duties, from prepping food to managing the front counter and even doing dishes.
The Cost of Her Dedication
Despite the praise she received online, Hamilton’s dedication didn’t seem to be enough to keep her job. Just one month after her viral fame, she was fired due to being late for her shifts—something she explained was a result of childcare issues.
“I was fired because I’ve been late because of my kids,” Hamilton shared in a TikTok update. “My kids come first. Y’all don’t pay for no babysitter or anything.”
Hamilton, a single mother of three, expressed her frustration and emotional distress, saying, “I’m already aggravated, I’m already depressed, all of this mental s***, and motherf****** messing with me, so leave me alone.” She added that her long work hours often meant she missed out on precious time with her children, which weighed heavily on her.
A GoFundMe Campaign for Support
After losing her job, Hamilton turned to GoFundMe to raise funds for her family. As of writing, her campaign has raised over $72,000 in donations, showing the public’s support for her efforts and situation. Many have expressed solidarity with her, recognizing the challenges of balancing work and family, especially for single parents.
Hamilton had previously spoken about the emotional toll her job took on her personal life. “I be missing out on my kids’ lives when I work so much,” she said. “I have to provide for them, but I really don’t have time to spend with them, and it hurts me a lot.”
