A Burger King employee who gained viral fame for single-handedly running an entire restaurant for 12 hours has now revealed that she has been fired, sparking both outrage and sympathy online. Nykia Hamilton, a 25-year-old mother of three from Columbia, South Carolina, became an internet sensation back in July when a customer filmed her working alone at a Burger King location, managing every station by herself.

In the video, the customer narrated in amazement that Hamilton was cooking fries, grilling burgers, preparing chicken sandwiches, working the drive-thru, handling the front counter, and still keeping customers satisfied. The clip spread quickly on social media, with viewers praising her work ethic and dedication, many calling her “the face of true determination.” Hamilton later explained in an emotional interview with WACH Fox 57 that she had been left alone because of an unexpected staff shortage after another worker quit on short notice. She admitted that she had to juggle every responsibility in the store that day—washing dishes, prepping food, cleaning floors, running the counter, and handling the drive-thru—despite the overwhelming pressure.

She admitted it was exhausting, but she pushed through because she knew customers were relying on her and, more importantly, because she had three children to provide for. For a moment, her hard work turned her into an internet hero. However, in a twist that stunned many of her supporters, Hamilton took to TikTok weeks later to share that Burger King had fired her. She claimed the reason was her repeated lateness, which she explained was caused by challenges caring for her children. “Burger King fired me because I’ve been late because of my kids,” she said tearfully. “My kids come first.

Y’all don’t pay for no babysitter, or nothing.” Her words struck a chord with many working parents who face the same struggles of balancing childcare with demanding work schedules. She admitted that the viral fame, while initially uplifting, had also added stress to her life. In a raw and emotional post, she said, “I’m already aggravated, I’m already depressed, all of this mental stuff, and people keep messing with me, so leave me alone.” To make matters worse, losing her job left her scrambling to figure out how to keep food on the table for her children. In response, Hamilton started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover expenses.

On the fundraiser page, she described herself as a 25-year-old single mother of three who works two jobs and had unexpectedly gone viral for simply doing what needed to be done. “I wasn’t expecting my life to change how it did,” she wrote. “I really do everything for my kids.” At the time of reporting, the fundraiser had drawn widespread support, with donations surpassing $64,000, a testament to how strongly people connected with her story. Even before being fired, Hamilton had opened up about the struggles of working long shifts at Burger King. She explained to WACH Fox 57 that she often worked more than 12 hours in a single shift. While she worked hard to provide for her children, she admitted that the schedule left her missing precious moments in their lives, something that broke her heart.

“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.” Her commitment to her children and her job was evident when she revealed that the day after her infamous solo shift, she was again called in to close the restaurant on her own. “I closed again by myself last night,” she said at the time. “I finally got help today. 11 o’clock and will stay until close at 11.” She explained that the chronic staff shortages left employees stretched thin.

“We just don’t have any employees. Nobody wants to work anymore,” she said, describing the growing labor shortage in the fast-food industry. Her story has reignited debates about the challenges facing service industry workers, particularly single parents who are often forced to juggle long hours, low wages, and family responsibilities without adequate support. Many online users expressed anger at Burger King, arguing that Hamilton should have been rewarded for her dedication rather than dismissed over tardiness caused by childcare needs. Others noted that her story highlights the lack of affordable childcare and the struggles of low-income families trying to survive in today’s economy.

As of now, Burger King has not released an official statement in response to her firing. Hamilton’s supporters continue to rally behind her, with many praising her determination and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Her story is not just about one difficult shift, but about the broader issues faced by countless working parents in low-wage industries who are forced to sacrifice their own well-being and family time to make ends meet.