A single mother who became an internet sensation after running an entire Burger King restaurant by herself for 12 hours has shared an update on her life following her dismissal.
Nykia Hamilton, 25, from Columbia, South Carolina, attracted widespread attention after footage showed her juggling virtually every responsibility inside the fast-food restaurant without assistance from other employees.
The mother of three was filmed preparing food, serving customers, managing the drive-thru and keeping the restaurant operating despite serious staffing shortages.
Her determination earned praise from people across social media, many of whom questioned why she had been left to manage the restaurant alone.
However, the story took an unexpected turn when Hamilton subsequently revealed that she had been fired.
Now, the former Burger King employee has shared a new glimpse into her life, revealing how she has been spending her time since losing her job.
What happened to the Burger King employee who worked alone for 12 hours?
Hamilton first went viral in July 2025 after a customer recorded her working alone at a Burger King restaurant in Columbia, South Carolina.
The footage showed her moving between different workstations while attempting to keep up with orders from customers inside the restaurant and those using the drive-thru.
She was responsible for preparing burgers, cooking fries and chicken sandwiches, handling payments, packaging food and serving customers.
Speaking to local television station WACH Fox 57, Hamilton explained that staffing shortages had left her without additional help.
She said the situation meant she was also responsible for cleaning, washing dishes and preparing the restaurant for service.
Despite the demanding workload, she continued working to support her three children.
The footage quickly spread online, prompting thousands of people to praise her work ethic and express concern about the conditions she had faced.
Why was Nykia Hamilton fired from Burger King?
Despite the positive attention surrounding her viral shift, Hamilton later announced that she had lost her job.
According to Hamilton, she was dismissed because of repeated lateness connected to her childcare responsibilities.
The single mother explained that looking after her three children sometimes made it difficult to arrive at work on time.
Speaking about the dismissal, she said: "[Burger King] fired me because I've been late because of my kids."
She added: "My kids come first. Y'all don't pay for no babysitter, or nothing."
Her comments sparked further discussion about the challenges faced by working parents who must balance employment with childcare.
Hamilton had previously explained that she regularly worked long shifts and struggled to find enough time to spend with her children.
She said she needed to provide for her family but found it upsetting that her working hours meant missing important moments in their lives.
Burger King subsequently stated that employment decisions at the franchise-operated restaurant were handled by the franchisee, which attributed Hamilton's dismissal to repeated attendance issues.
What is Nykia Hamilton doing now after losing her job?
Following her dismissal, Hamilton returned to social media to share a new chapter of her life with the people who had supported her.
According to UNILAD's August 20, 2025 report, she had begun creating lifestyle content on TikTok and Instagram, giving followers a glimpse into her everyday routine as a mother of three.
One of her first videos in this new chapter was a 10-minute 'get ready with me' recording.
Rather than focusing on the controversy surrounding her former employer, Hamilton showed viewers what an ordinary morning looked like for her family.
The video featured her waking her children, helping them get ready and discussing their eating habits.
She also spoke about everyday family life, allowing followers to see a different side of her personality beyond the viral Burger King footage.
Although she did not directly discuss her dismissal in that particular video, the post attracted encouraging comments from people who had followed her story.
Her growing social media presence offered an opportunity to connect with supporters while exploring content creation following her departure from Burger King.
What did supporters say about her life update?
Hamilton's new content attracted messages from followers who continued to express admiration for her determination.
One viewer wrote: "Keep ur head up momma your doing a great job, you have people rooting for you in rooms you arnt in! single mom to single mom your an inspiration."
Another commenter expressed anger about the circumstances surrounding her dismissal and suggested she consider whether she had grounds to pursue legal action.
However, a social media comment about possible legal action does not establish that Hamilton's dismissal was unlawful.
Other viewers focused on encouraging the mother to continue sharing her life online.
The response demonstrated how her story had developed beyond the original footage of her working alone, with followers becoming invested in her family's future.
How much money did the Burger King employee receive from donations?
Following the viral video and subsequent dismissal, Hamilton launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support herself and her children.
The fundraiser attracted considerable attention from people who sympathised with her circumstances.
According to UNILAD, the campaign had raised approximately $74,000 by August 20, 2025.
The amount represented a significant show of public generosity towards the former fast-food worker.
In her fundraiser description, Hamilton explained that she was a 25-year-old single mother working two jobs when the footage unexpectedly brought her national attention.
She wrote: "I wasn't expecting my life to change how it did. I really do everything for my kids."
Hamilton also thanked the people who had contributed and supported her family.
The reported $74,000 figure reflects the amount raised at the time of UNILAD's article, rather than a verified current fundraising total.
What did Nykia Hamilton say she would do with the donations?
Hamilton also revealed that she wanted to use some of the money raised to help her own mother.
In a separate social media video, she explained that she planned to pay her mother's rent as a way of giving back following the unexpected generosity she had received.
The gesture attracted further positive reactions from supporters who had followed her story.
It also highlighted how the fundraising campaign had given Hamilton an opportunity to support family members beyond her immediate household.
Although the donations provided financial assistance, Hamilton did not publicly confirm in the cited report that she had secured a permanent replacement for her previous employment.
What did Burger King say about the viral incident?
Following criticism of the circumstances surrounding Hamilton's shift, Burger King addressed the situation.
The company said its operating policy required more than one team member to be present during a restaurant shift.
It acknowledged that Hamilton should not have been left to run the restaurant alone.
However, the company explained that individual employment decisions at franchised restaurants were made by their operators.
Regarding Hamilton's dismissal, Burger King said the franchisee had confirmed that she was no longer employed because of repeated attendance issues.
The company did not publicly provide detailed information about her individual employment record.
There has been no verified evidence that Hamilton was fired in retaliation for the viral footage.
What happened to Nykia Hamilton after going viral?
Hamilton's story began with a customer recording an extraordinary shift at a fast-food restaurant, but it quickly developed into a wider discussion about staffing, working conditions and the difficulties faced by single parents.
Her dismissal prompted anger among supporters who believed her willingness to keep the restaurant operating deserved recognition.
However, the public response also brought financial assistance and a new social media audience.
By August 2025, Hamilton had begun sharing lifestyle videos featuring her children and daily routines, while continuing to receive encouragement from followers.
She had also announced plans to use part of the fundraising proceeds to help her mother with rent.
Although her longer-term employment and financial circumstances have not been independently confirmed, her update showed how an unexpected viral moment had opened up opportunities beyond her former job.
