Author: Maya Brooks

  • ‘I Really Wanted to Hate It’: TikToker Tracks Down Ghost Kitchen MrBeast Burger at Friendly’s and Rates It 6.8 Out of 10

    ‘I Really Wanted to Hate It’: TikToker Tracks Down Ghost Kitchen MrBeast Burger at Friendly’s and Rates It 6.8 Out of 10

    A TikTok creator’s search for a MrBeast Burger location ended at a Friendly’s restaurant, where he reviewed the ghost kitchen meal and rated the burger 6.8 out of 10.

    Creator @munchinwithmoonshot said he had low expectations because of his skepticism toward ghost kitchen brands. After searching for the location and asking someone nearby for directions, he learned that the MrBeast Burger order was prepared inside the Friendly’s restaurant.

    Customers could not order the meal in person. Instead, they had to place their orders online before collecting the food.

    What was in the MrBeast Burger order?

    The TikToker ordered a MrBeast-style double burger, Beast-style fries, a Diet Coke and a David’s chocolate chip cookie. The fries came with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles, onions and a seasoning he identified as Cajun-style.

    “The fries aren’t soggy. I’m not gonna lie, like, they’re not horrible,” he said.

    He rated the fries 5 out of 10. He also said the ordering app did not list the toppings in advance, leaving him to identify the ingredients as cheese, pickles, onions and ketchup based on their taste.

    In the video caption, the creator wrote:

    @munchinwithmoonshot Saw there was a @MrBeastBurger near my location so I got curious and went exploring ?? @MrBeast #mukbang #mrbeast #foodie #burger #foodreview ♬ original sound – Munchin With Moonshot

    TikToker gives the burger a 6.8 rating

    Despite his initial doubts, the creator said the burger performed better than expected.

    “It’s not bad. It’s actually better than I expected it to be,” he said, adding, “I really wanted to hate it. I did.”

    He gave the burger a 6.8 out of 10. While he said the food itself exceeded his expectations, he lowered the overall score because of the difficulty of finding the location and completing the order.

    The chocolate chip cookie had partially melted after sitting in his car, but it received the highest rating of the meal.

    “This David’s chocolate chip cookie is better than the entirety of the MrBeast meal,” he said.

    He rated the cookie 8.7 out of 10.

    Reactions focus on the ghost kitchen model

    The TikToker said he would not specifically seek out another ghost kitchen brand. If he returned to the location, he said he would order directly from Friendly’s instead.

    He also criticized the AI-generated promotional images used by some ghost kitchen brands, arguing that restaurants should display images of the food they actually serve.

    Viewers largely reacted to the ghost kitchen business model and the confusion surrounding the order location. One commenter defended the arrangement, writing without evidence:

    “ghost kitchens like Mr Beast burger actually help out those smaller businesses.”

    Another commenter addressed the creator’s difficulty locating the restaurant, writing:

    “Yeah bro the burger place is gonna be in the dollar store not the burger shop across the street.”

    A third commenter claimed that the American Dream Mall location offered a more traditional MrBeast Burger experience:

    “Go to American Dream Mall if you want a true MrBeast burger”

    The Daily Dot could not verify that claim.

    The Daily Dot was also unable to independently verify the specific location or franchise details shown in the video beyond the information provided by @munchinwithmoonshot. The account above reflects the creator’s description of his MrBeast Burger order and review.

  • Woman, 22, Diagnosed With Cancer After Ears Fail to Pop During Flight

    Woman, 22, Diagnosed With Cancer After Ears Fail to Pop During Flight

    A 22-year-old mother has revealed how a seemingly minor ear problem led to a diagnosis of rare nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a form of cancer that initially left doctors stunned.

    Aida Burkins, from Hemet, California, began experiencing symptoms after flying to Chicago, Illinois, in May last year. After landing, she could not pop her ears, a common problem caused by changes in air pressure during a flight.

    Aida Burkins, 22, said medics initially believed it was ‘just altitude sickness’ (TikTok/@moody.aidaa)

    According to Boots Hearingcare, difficulty popping the ears can be linked to Eustachian tube dysfunction, sinus congestion or earwax buildup.

    It explains: “It’s advisable to avoid forceful attempts to pop your ears, as this can sometimes exacerbate the issue. Instead, consider strategies like swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum to encourage natural equalisation.”

    Experts recommend seeking medical advice if the problem continues or is accompanied by pain. In Aida’s case, her hearing deteriorated rapidly while she experienced constant fatigue and significant weight loss.

    Speaking to Newsweek, she said: “I started bleeding into my throat, which would only come out of my nose if I was bent at the hip at about 90 degrees.”

    “My hearing got worse and worse. Then I started getting more tired and losing weight.”

    Aida Burkins’ symptoms

    In a TikTok video about her symptoms, Aida explained that she would ‘literally be choking on how much [blood] was just leaking into my throat’.

    She said doctors initially told her it was ‘just altitude sickness’ and that the problem would eventually disappear. However, her symptoms continued to worsen.

    Doctors later discovered that a mass was blocking her Eustachian tube. Aida was referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, where she reported ‘muffled’ hearing and persistent ‘ringing’ in her ears.

    The ENT specialist found that her adenoids were inflamed and recommended removing them. The adenoids are small areas of tissue at the back of the throat, behind the nose, that help fight infection.

    The doctor also said he was ‘suspicious’ that cancer could be responsible, although he considered it unlikely because Aida was only 22.

    Aida Burkins developed a large lump in her neck while experiencing ear problems
    Aida developed a huge lump in her neck while also dealing with ear issues (TikTok/@moody.aidaa)

    The left side of Aida’s throat then became severely swollen, prompting doctors to take a biopsy from her neck. She said her doctor told her that ‘he had never seen anything quite like what she had going on’.

    A CT scan showed ‘lumps and bumps everywhere’, including in lymph nodes at the base of her skull.

    After months of tests, Aida was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in February this year.

    The NHS describes this ‘rare’ cancer as affecting the part of the throat that connects the back of the nose with the back of the mouth, known as the pharynx.

    Symptoms can include a lump in the neck that does not disappear, hearing loss—usually affecting one ear—tinnitus, a blocked nose, nosebleeds, headaches and double vision.

    ‘It was horrifying’

    People diagnosed with NPC are typically treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Aida has undergone both treatments, while surgery is not usually considered because of the difficulty of accessing the affected area.

    Describing the moment she received her diagnosis, Aida said: “Hearing I have cancer, all I thought about was not being able to see my babies grow up or do the things they want to do in life. It was horrifying.”

    Although she is only 22, Aida wants to remind people that ‘cancer doesn’t discriminate’. She is also urging anyone experiencing similar symptoms to advocate for themselves, regardless of age.

    Aida said doctors are ‘optimistic that she’ll be cancer-free’ after she completes treatment. She added: “My prognosis is overall good. “Everything is shrinking and responding to the treatments my doctors have been giving me.”

  • Restaurant Worker Says Teen Boys Left 1-Cent Tip After Mocking Menu Item: ‘They Were Waiting for a Reaction’

    Restaurant Worker Says Teen Boys Left 1-Cent Tip After Mocking Menu Item: ‘They Were Waiting for a Reaction’

    A TikTok creator says a restaurant employee was left a one-cent tip after a group of teenage boys allegedly mocked a menu item and appeared to wait for her reaction.

    In a video shared by @jorlala, the employee recalled an interaction involving three or four teenage boys. She said the group repeatedly mispronounced an ingredient in a breakfast sandwich while laughing among themselves.

    Teen customers allegedly left a one-cent tip

    The employee said she repeatedly asked the boys what they wanted, but they deferred to one another over who would order first. One boy eventually ordered a sandwich and a cup of water, then asked the others whether they wanted anything without giving them time to respond.

    The bill came to $6, and the employee stepped away to prepare the order. She said she then heard the card reader repeatedly beeping while it was out of her view, leading her to believe the group was entering a custom tip amount.

    “That’s the only time that, like, those buttons go off,” she said, adding that the beeping continued as the boys laughed.

    Before checking the receipt, the employee said she suspected the group had left an unusually small tip.

    “I literally think to myself, they’re gonna tip me a penny right now,” she said.

    When she returned with the food, she said the receipt showed a one-cent tip and that the boys appeared to be watching for her reaction. The group then asked for three additional cups of water.

    “Yeah, sounds about f—— right,” she said, while complaining that she had noticed similar behavior from teenage boys of a similar age.

    The employee did not identify the restaurant or provide additional details about the customers.

    Viewers share similar food-service experiences

    Several commenters said they had experienced similar situations while working in food service or delivery. One commenter, who said they were a teenager, criticized the behavior.

    “As a teen I hate how other people make us look bad.”

    Another commenter shared a sarcastic example involving a customer and a small cash tip.

    “customer total: $4.97 customer hands: $5 bill customer says: ‘keep the change.’”

    A commenter who identified themselves as a delivery driver said they had also received a one-cent tip.

    “I am a delivery driver and I had a person tip me only a penny once. I left a penny on top of their order when I delivered it.”

    Another commenter said their workplace was located near a school.

    “the coffee shop i work at is next to a boys private high school its a nightmare” [sic].

    The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the details of the interaction, including the restaurant’s location or the identities of the customers. The account above reflects @jorlala’s description of the incident on TikTok.

  • ‘They Were Waiting for Him to Be Late’: Boss Moves Up Monday Meeting and Questions Late Employee—Commenters Have Theories

    ‘They Were Waiting for Him to Be Late’: Boss Moves Up Monday Meeting and Questions Late Employee—Commenters Have Theories

    Boss Moves Up Monday Meeting by Three Minutes, Then Questions Employee for Being Late

    A Reddit post about a boss moving a Monday morning meeting forward at the last minute and then questioning an employee for being late has attracted 51,000 upvotes and more than 1,100 comments. Reddit users offered several theories about the sudden schedule change and the boss’s response.

    @RotaryPhoneDialer shared a screenshot in the r/MildlyInfuriating subreddit showing that the employee’s regularly scheduled 9:35 a.m. meeting had been moved to 9:32 a.m. The “Weekly Kickoff” normally took place at 9:35, but the boss changed it by three minutes without apparent notice.

    According to the post, the boss called at 9:33 a.m. to ask why the employee had not joined the meeting. The timing of the call and the unusual schedule change prompted confusion among commenters.

    My regularly scheduled Monday morning meeting at 9:35 got rescheduled to 9:32. My boss called at 9:33 asking why I was late.

    — u/RotaryPhoneDialer in r/mildlyinfuriating

    Some Reddit users suggested the revised time could have been an honest mistake. One commenter wrote, “I would have just assumed it was a mistake and still joined at 9:35.”

    Others focused on the unusual meeting time. One person wrote, “Because no one sane makes meetings that don’t align to a 5-minute grid.” Another asked, “9:35 is so strange; why not just make it 9:30?” The commenter acknowledged that the time may have been chosen to allow for a break.

    Another Reddit user speculated that the last-minute change may have been intended to create grounds for disciplinary action. They wrote, “Sounds like they are trying to set a trap…Especially calling within a minute of being late. They were waiting for him to be late.”

    Should the Employee Apologize for Being Late?

    Commenters disagreed about whether the employee should apologize for missing the revised meeting time. Responding to the situation, one user wrote, “OP doesn’t need to be apologetic, which is basically an admission of guilt.”

    The commenter also advised the employee to document the issue by contacting the boss and copying human resources: “They need to email their boss and copy HR. State that you need X amount of hours’ advanced notice to any meeting time changes.” The comment received 2,200 upvotes.

    The original poster did not mention any previous incidents involving the boss. However, some Reddit users suggested searching for another job if the behavior continued. One commenter wrote, “If your boss is teeing up to take your head off like this, it’s best to move companies.”

    Other commenters criticized the boss’s conduct and said the employee deserved more leeway, particularly because the meeting time was changed at the last minute by the boss.

    The Daily Dot could not independently verify the claims in the Reddit post, which are based solely on the author’s account shared in r/MildlyInfuriating.

  • The Entrepreneur Behind the Machines: Jeff Rehberger’s Gaming Venture

    The Entrepreneur Behind the Machines: Jeff Rehberger’s Gaming Venture

    An operator trained at Cornell and the London School of Economics built one of Illinois’ largest video gaming terminal networks from the ground up.

    Source: www.distractify.com

  • ‘You’ve Made Me Cancel Three Meetings’: Internet Furious After Habitually Late Doctor Scolds Patient for Arriving Late Once

    ‘You’ve Made Me Cancel Three Meetings’: Internet Furious After Habitually Late Doctor Scolds Patient for Arriving Late Once

    A Reddit post about a doctor who routinely arrived late for appointments has sparked a debate about whether medical offices respect patients’ time. The post, shared on r/mildlyinfuriating, described a particularly frustrating appointment and had received more than 7,700 upvotes and 595 comments at the time of publication.

    The patient said their child uses a wheelchair and vomited during the drive to the appointment. Heavy construction also slowed traffic nearby, causing the patient to arrive late. According to the post, the doctor typically made patients wait about an hour.

    Rather than overlooking the delay, the doctor confronted the patient. The doctor reportedly said, “You guys have made me cancel three of my meetings.” The doctor then asked the patient to respect their time at future appointments. The patient described the doctor’s manner as “the most passive aggressive tone.”

    Doctor’s Late Appointments Become the Bigger Issue

    The patient said the criticism felt unfair because the doctor frequently ran late and rarely kept to scheduled appointment times. They clarified that they held no grudge against doctors or other healthcare workers, but felt frustrated that the doctor treated one late arrival differently from the delays patients regularly experienced.

    The patient acknowledged arriving late, but said the doctor still accepted the appointment, ordered X-rays and continued with the visit. That detail did little to settle the discussion, as many Reddit users focused on what they viewed as a double standard.

    One commenter compared the situation with job interviews, joking that people are punished for arriving late after being expected to arrive early. Another user said they once waited 90 minutes before their therapist confronted them and accused them of harassing front-desk staff. The Daily Dot could not independently verify that account.

    Other commenters shared similar experiences involving doctors, dentists, therapists and other healthcare providers. One person said a doctor kept them waiting while complaining about patients arriving early. The doctor reportedly entered the room carrying a Starbucks breakfast.

    Another Reddit user described an 8 a.m. appointment that began more than an hour late. The practice later admitted that the doctor rarely arrived before 9 a.m.

    Some commenters defended doctors and healthcare workers. One user said physicians often spend additional time reviewing patient files. Another explained that emergencies and unexpected complications can delay appointments throughout the day.

    Still, several users argued that medical offices should communicate when delays occur. They said patients deserve the same consideration when circumstances make them late.

    The discussion also turned to cancellation fees. Several commenters criticized healthcare providers that charge patients for late cancellations. One person said they paid a $100 cancellation fee while seriously ill and attended the appointment anyway because they could not afford the penalty.

    The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the events described in the post or the identities of those involved. The details reflect the account shared on r/mildlyinfuriating.

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  • TikToker Says No One Should Feel Obligated to Tip Business Owners, Sparking Debate Over Hairstylists, Tattoo Artists and Concert Merch Booths

    TikToker Says No One Should Feel Obligated to Tip Business Owners, Sparking Debate Over Hairstylists, Tattoo Artists and Concert Merch Booths

    TikTok creator Miss Redacted has sparked a debate over tipping, arguing that owner-operators should not expect gratuities from customers. The discussion led commenters to weigh in on tipping at salons, tattoo studios, concert merchandise booths and other businesses.

    In her video, Miss Redacted focused on owner-operators who provide services directly to customers. She argued that these business owners set their own prices and profit directly from their work.

    @awalmartparkinglot do you tip owner operators? ♬ original sound – miss redacted????

    Why Miss Redacted Says Owner-Operators Should Not Expect Tips

    Miss Redacted said tipping makes more sense for employees who earn hourly wages. Those workers may rely on gratuities to supplement their income, she argued, while owner-operators can determine their prices and benefit directly from the revenue.

    She also said customers should not feel pressured to guess whether a business owner expects a tip. That uncertainty, she argued, can make an otherwise simple transaction uncomfortable.

    Many commenters disagreed with her position.

    Several said they associate tipping primarily with traditional restaurant service. One commenter wrote, “I only tip waiters and bartenders.” Another took a firmer stance on tipping outside restaurants, writing, “Im not tipping anyone who is NOT a waiter/waitress.”

    A third commenter questioned why businesses increasingly show customers tipping prompts during checkout. They wrote, “There’s tips at MERCH BOOTHS, MER CB BOOTHS AT CONCERTS!! WHY!”

    The debate also included whether employees earning standard wages should receive percentage-based tips. One commenter wrote, “I HATE IT. if you make at least the federal minimum wage, why are we expected to tip a %?”

    That commenter argued that tipping traditionally helped support restaurant workers whose base wages were unusually low.

    Do Customers Tip Hair Stylists and Tattoo Artists?

    The discussion became more complicated when commenters described their relationships with individual service providers.

    One commenter said they continued to tip their hairstylist even though the stylist owned the business. They explained that the stylist had served them for years and sometimes offered discounts or waived certain charges.

    Another commenter drew a distinction between personal services and tattoo work, arguing that customers should not tip when they have already agreed to a specific price. “If you tell me you will do a project for me for X price, that’s the price,” they wrote, comparing the arrangement with hiring a general contractor. “Do you tip a general contractor?” they asked.

    Commenters reached no clear consensus on tipping owner-operators. Some viewed gratuities as appropriate when customers develop an ongoing relationship with a service provider, while others argued that business owners who control their own prices do not need tips.

    The Daily Dot could not independently verify the creator’s claims about tipping practices. The details reflect Miss Redacted’s perspective and the opinions shared by commenters on TikTok.

  • Patient Says Hospital Canceled Scheduled Surgery the Friday Beforehand Because the Procedure Was ‘Not Cost Effective’ There

    Patient Says Hospital Canceled Scheduled Surgery the Friday Beforehand Because the Procedure Was ‘Not Cost Effective’ There

    A Reddit user says a medical facility canceled their surgery at 5 p.m. on a Friday, just hours before the scheduled procedure, after determining it was “not cost effective” at that location. The cancellation has sparked debate about insurance coverage, hospital payments, facility fees, and delays in medical treatment.

    The post, shared on r/mildlyinfuriating, described an injury that required surgical repair within approximately two weeks. According to the Reddit user, the scheduling department arranged the procedure for the following week after confirming insurance coverage.

    The user said their doctor’s office was a tier 1 provider under their insurance plan, while the hospital was classified as a tier 2 facility. That difference would have left the patient facing a $2,000 deductible and 30 percent coinsurance.

    The scheduler then checked whether the doctor could perform the operation at a tier 1 facility. The Reddit user said the scheduler found an available option and booked the surgery for the following week.

    However, the situation changed Friday afternoon. The scheduler reportedly called at around 5 p.m. and said the hospital had rejected the procedure as “not cost effective” there.

    The Reddit user said their insurance plan would cover the surgery and questioned why the facility would lose money if the procedure was insured. The cancellation also left the patient with few immediate alternatives because other medical offices had already closed.

    According to the post, the patient faced two options: move the surgery to the tier 2 hospital and pay thousands of dollars more, or find another facility and delay the procedure.

    The Reddit user argued that neither the injury nor the surgery had changed. They said the only change was the facility’s potential payment.

    Reddit users debate the canceled surgery

    The post drew widespread reactions, with commenters discussing the roles of insurance companies, hospitals, doctors, and surgical facilities in determining where procedures can take place.

    One commenter wrote, “American health insurance is bull—-.”

    A commenter who identified themselves as a surgeon offered a different explanation, saying facility fees can vary significantly depending on where a surgeon performs a procedure.

    Another commenter who said they work in healthcare discussed the tier system, writing that tier 1 and tier 2 arrangements commonly involve surgical facilities and hospitals.

    One Reddit user advised the original poster to contact the insurer and request a patient advocate. They also suggested contacting state and federal representatives.

    Another commenter questioned why the scheduler disclosed the facility’s financial concerns. “I’m just amazed the scheduler knew this and also decided to tell you,” they wrote.

    A different commenter said the situation appeared to involve an insurance issue rather than a decision made by the doctor. They wrote that insurance companies can pay different amounts depending on the facility where a procedure is performed.

    The discussion also included commenters sharing their own medical experiences. Several users warned that delays in treatment can lead to additional complications.

    The details reflect the account shared by u/WowImOldAF on r/mildlyinfuriating. The Daily Dot could not independently verify the user’s account, the identities of the medical providers, or the facility’s stated reason for canceling the surgery.

  • Walmart Employee Scans Dresser Twice at $149, but Customer Insists Nearby Clearance Sign Means It Should Cost $75

    Walmart Employee Scans Dresser Twice at $149, but Customer Insists Nearby Clearance Sign Means It Should Cost $75

    A Walmart employee says a customer repeatedly challenged the price of a $149 dresser after finding it beside a $75 clearance sign.

    The employee, identified on TikTok as @skylouieeeee, described the encounter in a storytime video. According to the creator, the customer asked for help after finding a boxed dresser without a visible price tag.

    @skylouieeeee The pricetag was not up there for that damn dresser #fyp #walmart #storytime #retail #retailworker ♬ original sound – skylouieeeee

    Customer questioned Walmart dresser price after two scans

    The employee said they used a work phone to scan the dresser’s barcode. The scan showed a price of $149, but the customer immediately questioned whether the result was correct. The employee then showed the customer the scanned price.

    The customer reportedly maintained that the dresser should cost $75 because he had found it near a $75 clearance sign. The employee asked him to show where he had found the item, and they returned to the aisle together.

    According to the creator, the dresser was positioned beside the $75 sign, but the sign applied to a different product farther down the aisle. The employee explained the distinction, yet the customer continued arguing that the dresser should receive the lower price.

    The employee said the customer asked for the dresser to be scanned again. The second scan also showed $149. The customer then questioned whether the employee had scanned the correct product, asking about the dresser’s name and color.

    The creator said the exchange became frustrating because they had scanned the barcode directly from the dresser’s box.

    The employee said the barcode on the box matched the $149 price, which settled the matter from their perspective. The video prompted reactions from other retail workers and viewers who said they had experienced similar disputes. Several commenters suggested that the customer may have hoped persistence would lead to a discount.

    “He put it there and tried to get a discount lol,” one commenter wrote.

    Another commenter agreed with that interpretation. “He knew, 100%, he was just hoping yall would be annoyed enough,” they wrote.

    They added that the customer may have wanted the employee to give in and honor the $75 price. Another viewer offered a different explanation:

    “People just can’t fathom that other ppl might have moved the item,” they wrote. “It’s not in the place it’s supposed to be.”

    Another commenter distinguished between genuine pricing errors and merchandise placed beside the wrong sign. They said an honor system might apply when a sale tag has expired.

    However, the commenter argued that employees should not automatically honor a sign that applies to another product. One Walmart employee said the situation felt familiar: “As a Walmart employee this is what I deal with everyday,” they wrote.

    The commenters’ reactions reflect their own interpretations and do not establish what the customer intended. Several said they had dealt with similar incidents while working in retail.

    The TikTok video presents only the creator’s account of the interaction. It does not independently establish whether the customer moved the dresser or why it was beside the clearance sign.

    The Daily Dot could not independently verify the customer’s account or the circumstances surrounding the sign. The story is based on the creator’s description of the encounter and reactions posted by viewers online.

  • Teen Gives Waiting Drive-Thru Customer a Free Cookie While Coworker Yells at Him—Manager Fires Him at Closing Time

    Teen Gives Waiting Drive-Thru Customer a Free Cookie While Coworker Yells at Him—Manager Fires Him at Closing Time

    A creator says he lost his first job at Carl’s Jr. after giving a waiting drive-thru customer one free cookie without managerial approval.

    Maxwell, who shares videos on TikTok as @maxwellsvision, recently recounted the decade-old incident. He said he worked at Carl’s Jr. four days a week after school, spending most of his shifts at the drive-thru, which he described as extremely slow.

    Maxwell Says One Cookie Cost Him His First Job

    According to Maxwell, the restaurant became overwhelmed after a coworker left for lunch just before a major rush. He said about 10 cars eventually lined up at the drive-thru.

    Maxwell normally handled drinks and fries, but he said a coworker named Esmeralda called him into the kitchen during the rush. He said Esmeralda had worked at the restaurant for about 15 years, while he had been there for roughly four months.

    Maxwell said he struggled to prepare Double California Classics as Esmeralda repeatedly corrected the amount of sauce he used. He said she yelled at him while he assembled the burgers, eventually prompting him to ask her to stop because she was making him nervous.

    Maxwell said Esmeralda told him he needed to get fired if he could not handle the work. He then returned to the drive-thru window.

    One customer had already been waiting for about 15 minutes, Maxwell said. When the customer asked whether he could provide something while they waited, Maxwell said he could not give away free fries. Instead, he offered a cookie from the display case.

    The customer accepted the cookie and milk, according to Maxwell, and the customer’s mood immediately improved.

    Maxwell viewed the gesture as good customer service. However, he said Esmeralda soon confronted him about giving away the cookie.

    According to Maxwell, Esmeralda threatened to contact the district manager. He initially thought she was only trying to scare him.

    Manager Fired Maxwell at Closing Time

    Maxwell later told another coworker, Jackie, about the confrontation. He said Jackie told him she sometimes gave customers free cookies, too.

    Later that night, as the restaurant prepared to close, Maxwell said manager Ryan knocked on the locked front door.

    Maxwell said Ryan praised his work before giving him unexpected news: Carl’s Jr. had to let him go.

    Maxwell immediately asked whether the firing was related to the cookie. According to Maxwell, Ryan confirmed that Esmeralda had contacted him.

    Ryan allegedly explained that employees could not give away products without managerial approval. Maxwell said the manager then fired him.

    Viewers React to the Carl’s Jr. Story

    The story recently led viewers to revisit Maxwell’s decade-old experience. One commenter wrote, “I bet Esmeralda is still there.” Another viewer sympathized with Maxwell’s decision to help the customer, writing, “That is actually so infuriating,”

    The commenter added that businesses should reward employees for helping customers. Another person summarized the dispute in one detail: “All because of a one dollar cookie.”

    Someone else focused on Maxwell’s ability to remember the incident years later. “10 years ago!! And still remember the order,” they wrote.

    Another commenter found the story’s online aftermath especially amusing. “i love that the search is ‘is esmeralda a real carls jr employee?’” they wrote.

    This article is based on a TikTok video shared by @maxwellsvision. The Daily Dot could not independently verify Maxwell’s account of the incident, including the circumstances of his termination. Carl’s Jr. did not respond to a request for comment.