Employee filmed rap songs in a restaurant, went viral — and was fired
Rapper Riley's songs praised the restaurant where he worked, but management claimed they violated policies prohibiting filming content at the workplace. Riley noted that despite the firing, he "loves Waffle House" and is open to future collaborations with the chain.
An internet star turned the restaurant where he worked into a filming location for clips and videos, and paid the price. The restaurant chain Waffle House stated that it fired employee Adrick "Rockstar" Riley due to repeated violations of a policy prohibiting unauthorized filming and promotional content on company premises.
Managers "repeatedly communicated these instructions" before he staged a shoot in a parking lot with a "production crew, lighting, and backup dancers," the company said in a statement to TMZ. The chain noted that it supports employees' creative pursuits outside of work, but requires prior approval for any filming intended for "personal promotion, commercial gain, or brand monetization," which it claims Riley did not receive.
"Honestly, we did everything we could to help him keep his job, but due to repeated policy violations, he left us no choice," the company stated.
Riley's popularity skyrocketed after a video of him rapping under the stage name Rockstar Riley inside a Waffle House kitchen garnered millions of views, praising the menu and the ethos of the chain that never closes. He said he was fired after arriving for a shift in Sandy Springs, Georgia. According to TMZ, he had previously been told to remove social media posts where he appeared in uniform, but he continued to create content.
In the viral clip, filmed while he stood behind the counter in uniform, Riley performed lyrics praising the All-Star breakfast and the chain's reputation for being open 24/7, while encouraging fans to visit their local restaurant. The video appeared to be filmed by a customer, while diners smiled and moved to the beat, reported the New York Post.
The company stated that Riley's description of events is inaccurate. Waffle House said he was first hired in 2008 and worked "intermittently" before returning last August, accumulating "a total of just over four and a half years" with the company during that period. Riley also launched a crowdfunding campaign after the firing, which raised over $1,700.
In the viral performance, he rapped, "Welcome to the Waffy, where you know we got options / You can get the All-Star meal that comes with a waffle," and later added, "When everything else closes, come to us because we stay open / The biggest diner in America is still growing, you can't stop it."
Riley said he remains open to collaborating with the brand despite losing his job. "I'm not going to lie, if that opportunity comes, I would love to do it without thinking twice," he said, adding, "I love Waffle House."
