Single Mom Runs Entire Burger King Alone Amid Staff Shortage

A TikTok video recently went viral showing Nykia Hamilton, a 25-year-old single mom of three, working solo at a Burger King in Columbia, South Carolina.

With no coworkers to help, she managed every station—cooking, prepping, cleaning, front counter, and drive-thru—during a grueling 12-hour shift. The clip sparked outrage and concern over labor conditions in fast-food restaurants.

No Help, Just Hustle

Hamilton explained that one of her employees quit unexpectedly, and there was no backup to cover the shift. As a result, she was forced to run the entire store by herself. She worked all day, then returned for another solo closing shift the following evening. “I had to work by myself, and close by myself,” she said.

Hamilton pulls frequent 12-hour shifts to provide for her three children. But the sacrifice takes a toll. “I miss out on my kids’ lives. I have to provide for them, but I really don’t have time to spend with them, and it hurts me a lot,” she said in an emotional interview. Still, she expressed gratitude for her job, crediting her manager for giving her a second chance despite her criminal record—a chance she says changed her life.

Public Outrage at Burger King and Support for the Employee

Viewers flooded the viral TikTok with praise for Hamilton’s work ethic and anger at the situation. “She deserves a raise and help! She’s doing the job of five people,” one user commented. Others called for her to start a fundraiser. The video, viewed over 100,000 times, highlighted the broader issue of understaffed fast-food chains and the strain placed on workers.

Burger King Responds

Burger King corporate issued a statement affirming that it is against company policy for only one team member to operate a store. The company promised to investigate the franchise and take corrective steps. They emphasized that franchise locations are expected to follow staffing protocols to ensure team members are supported.

Hamilton’s story isn’t unique. Across the U.S., the fast-food industry continues to battle severe staffing shortages, leading to similar situations. Her experience has reignited conversations around minimum wage, support for working parents, and the importance of ethical labor practices in fast food and beyond.

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