12 Hours, No Help: Single Mum Of 3 Runs Burger King Alone, Sparks Outrage

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 17:40 IST

In their official release, Burger King noted that having a single employee working alone in a store is against company policy.

Nykia Hamilton is a 25-year-old worker at a Burger King outlet in South Carolina and a single mother of three (Image: GoFundMe)

Imagine the plight of running a store entirely on your own while juggling multiple tasks at once. If that sounds impossible, you might be surprised to learn that an employee in the US did exactly that.

Nykia Hamilton, a 25-year-old worker at a Burger King outlet in South Carolina, ended up running the entire store for 12 straight hours. She was left alone after a colleague quit mid-shift. Hamilton is not only a dedicated employee but also a single mother of three. Her ordeal was shared in a TikTok video posted on July 6.

Speaking to WACH News, she explained, “One of my employees just quit on me, and they didn’t have anyone else to come in, so I had to work by myself, and close by myself. Had to do the dishes, do prep, do the floor, do the front counter, drive-thru."

Although she had assistance at the store the next day, she once again ended up closing the outlet by herself. According to Hamilton, the location is severely understaffed, and only a few people seem interested in taking such jobs. The long shifts leave her with little to no time to spend with her children. “I be missing out on my kids’ lives… I really don’t have time to spend with them, and it hurts me a lot," she said.

She also expressed gratitude to her manager, who gave her the job despite her having no prior experience. Hamilton continues to work hard, as the income supports her and her children. After her video went viral and drew widespread praise, many suggested her to start a fundraiser. She soon launched a GoFundMe campaign requesting $15,000 in donations. So far, she has raised 80% of the target, falling just short of her goal.

Meanwhile, Burger King has issued an official statement, noting that having a single employee working alone in a store is against company policy. There should be more than one team member present at stores during a shift, the company stated. “We are working with the franchisee of this location to understand what happened and take any necessary action," the release added.

Location :

Delhi, India, India

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News world 12 Hours, No Help: Single Mum Of 3 Runs Burger King Alone, Sparks Outrage