Customers step in to help at Waffle House amid staff shortage
A branch of the all-day diner had been forced to close for an hour when a group of students stepped in
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A group of North Carolina students were hailed on TikTok after a video of them cleaning-up a short-staffed Waffle House went viral.
Footage from Waffle House in Boone, North Carolina, showed the students cleaning dishes and wiping down surfaces late on Friday.
The all-day diner had been forced to shut for an hour because it was short-staffed and without a cook.
The students — who were sitting at the last table in the restaurant — cleaned-up the Waffle House by tidying chairs and tables, and wiping down surfaces.
Waffle House waitress Ashley Weinsteinart shared footage of the students on TikTok, and wrote in a caption that she found the students cleaning up.
Elon Musk warns against turning Austin into a ‘San Francisco copycat’
Florida woman charged with child abuse days after being named ‘teacher of the year’
American Airlines cancels hundreds of weekend flights
Hilaria Baldwin says she is ‘trying to limit’ Alec Baldwin’s PTSD after film set shooting
One dead and nine injured at Halloween party shooting
“When we’re short-staffed and have to close down the Waffle House for an hour and the last table decides to help bussing and cleaning” wrote Ms Weinsteinart.
She tagged the song “Survivor” by Reba McEntrie to the TikTok, which features lyrics about a single mum working two jobs.
The TikTok has had more than two million views and thousands of likes and comments — including from one TikToker who wrote that it was more of a “Waffle Home” than a “Waffle House”.
Many repeated that sentiment and said the students, who are reportedly from North Carolina’s Appalachian State University, were “raised right”.
“This is genuinely such a nice thing to do for service industry workers,” another TikToker wrote. “Thank you for being awesome”.
The Independent has reached out to Waffle House for comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments