It was just last month that Nykia Hamilton was being praised for her hard work, and now instead of a promotion, it led to a devastating outcome.
RELATED: Wow: Hardworking Mom of 3 Left to Run Entire Burger King by Herself: “I Be Missing Out on My Kids’ Lives When I Work So Much”
As we previously reported on Hollywood Unlocked, Hamilton, 25, from South Carolina, went viral after being seen running an entire Burger King completely on her own, from the grill to the drive-thru. The young mother worked over 12-hour shifts at the fast-food chain to support her three children.
While speaking with WACH News at the time, although it was tough to work the shift alone, she said she was deeply grateful for her job, especially after overcoming a challenging past that included a criminal record.
But now, she’s providing a heartbreaking update. In a new emotional video, Hamilton reveals that the same job fired her.
Why?
Hamilton said she was let go over “attendance issues,” which she claims came from taking care of her kids.
“Bruh [Burger King] fired me because I’ve been late because of my kids,” she said through a rush of tears in a new TikTok video.
“My kids come first,” she continued, arguing that the job does not allow her to “pay for no babysitter or nothing. I’m trying to keep pushing for my kids, but I cannot do this s*** no more.”
Hamilton added that she has been struggling.
“The devil been on my back… I promise you he won.”
The fast-food giant later confirmed to the New York Post that Hamilton had been terminated.
“Terminations are the decision of the franchisees who own and operate the BK restaurant. In this situation, the franchisee confirmed that the individual involved is no longer employed due to repeated attendance issues,” a spokesperson for the company told the outlet.
However, that same spokesperson expressed outrage at the viral video showing Hamilton running the entire restaurant alone.
“No team member should ever be left to run a restaurant alone, even for a short period of time. That’s not how we operate and we’re disappointed that our policy, which required more than one team member to work per shift, wasn’t followed. While we can’t share more on individual personnel matters, we’re focused on making sure every restaurant, whether company or franchise-owned, has the staffing and support needed to take care of our team members and deliver the kind of experience our guests expect,” the spokesperson added.
So What Is Hamilton Planning To Do Next?
Hundreds of people online urged Hamilton to start a GoFundMe, and thankfully, she listened. As of Wednesday, the online fundraiser had raised over $86,000 for Hamilton and her family, proving that community support can change lives.
Her story has become a symbol of how hard-working single mothers are often overlooked and underappreciated. Many supporters say she represents resilience, strength, and the struggles of Black women who sacrifice everything for their kids.
