Nykia Hamilton, a 25-year-old single mother of three from Columbia, SC, was thrust into the spotlight last month after a visitor’s TikTok captured her running an entire Burger King shift solo—handling the grill, fries, drive-thru, dishes, and counter during a hectic dinner rush. Her dedication quickly went viral, drawing massive praise.
But her newfound visibility couldn’t change the harsh reality: Hamilton was fired shortly afterward for repeated tardiness—most often because she had to juggle childcare duties and couldn’t always find a babysitter.
Tears and frustration followed. In her own words:
“My kids come first. Y’all don’t pay for babysitter or nothing.”
The story exploded online, resonating deeply with struggling working parents. A GoFundMe campaign launched on her behalf quickly raised over $125,000, enabling her to support her children, help her mother with rent, and launch her own cleaning business.
Meanwhile, Burger King acknowledged the situation, stating that no team member should ever have to operate alone, and expressed disappointment that established staffing policies weren’t upheld. They highlighted systemic issues: low pay, unpredictable schedules, and limited worker protections in franchise models, which often leave employees—especially caregivers—vulnerable to job insecurity.
Nykia’s story sparked widespread outrage—and essential conversation—about the need for workplace flexibility, childcare support, and fair treatment for single parents struggling to keep their families afloat.
