For Waffle House workers, TikTok has become a place to share the ups and downs of their jobs, from issues with “mandatory meal deductions” to the secret of the restaurant’s infamous omelets. But one worker who has had a serious rollercoaster is Yadira Ramirez (@yadirajramirez1).
On Sept. 15, rapper Latto encouraged fans to make videos at their job performing her track “Brokey.” She pledged that the fan with the best video would win $10,000 and be featured in the music video.
Needless to say, Ramirez delivered, with her and her fellow Waffle House employees lip-syncing to the rap in areas like the drive-thru. The video went hugely viral, amassing 27.2 million views to date. But this virility came at a cost.
@yadirajramirez1 #WH #atlantawafflehouse #druskiwafflehouse #webeworking #fyp #hard #fye #working #wesellingsmoreswaffles #baddies #latto @BigLatto ♬ Brokey – Latto
The viral video had consequences
In a follow-up video, which has reached 13.9 million views, Ramirez revealed that she got fired for making the TikTok.
“I’m glad I put six years in a company that would fire me and literally a day of posting one video—one video that harms nobody that everybody was actually literally rooting for and happy about,” she said.
@yadirajramirez1 im so pissed. like yall don’t understand the bullshit i done through with this company to fire me over a video that was literally rooting on them. bs. straight bs.
♬ original sound – yadira Ramirez
“Smart decision, smart move.” She then added that they put her on an EFR list so Waffle House could never hire her again. Furthermore, in another follow-up video, she revealed that no one else was fired, and that the manager who fired her knew that she was doing it.
What happened next?
@yadirajramirez1 part 2.. @BigLatto ❤️ #thankyou #fyp #goingin #up #blessed #atl #atlanta #not#2 ♬ Brokey – Latto
The good news is that it seems like this story has a happy ending. In a subsequent video, Ramirez filmed herself linking up with Latto. As the pair danced and lip-synced to “Brokey,” Latto threw $10,000 in the air: seemingly confirming that Yadira won the prize.
Commenters were mostly supportive of Ramirez.
“Waffle House who?” one asked.
“I know Waffle House mad,” another added.
While a third wrote, “I’ll go to that same Waffle House and spend $100 with no tip just bc [sic].”
Several viewers ended up having the same question: Would Ramirez split the money with the other co-workers in the video?
“F**k dem [sic],” she joked in a comment. “They still got a job.”
Yadira didn’t immediately respond to the Daily Dot’s comment via TikTok comment. A representative for Latto didn’t immediately respond to the Daily Dot’s request for comment via email. The Daily Dot also reached out to Waffle House via email.
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