A Burger King employee at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, named Kevin Ford, garnered significant attention last summer when a video showcasing his 27 years of unwavering dedication to his job went viral. In the video, Ford expressed disappointment at the lackluster goody bag he received from HMSHost, the hiring company for Burger King, as a token of appreciation for his loyalty. The package included items like a movie ticket, a Starbucks cup, a bag of Reese's candy, two packets of Life Savers, two pens, two keychains, and some chocolate cake, which Ford perceived as arbitrary and insignificant.
Ford's story touched the hearts of many, leading his daughter to create a GoFundMe page to support him. In the GoFundMe description, his daughter explained that Ford had joined the restaurant as a single father, gaining custody of his two daughters. He remained at Burger King primarily because the job provided healthcare insurance for his four daughters throughout high school and college. Although he never sought financial assistance, the GoFundMe page aimed to help Ford fulfill his desire to visit his grandchildren.
Thanks to the overwhelming response from people worldwide, Ford received an outpouring of support. The donations allowed him to visit his grandchildren in Texas, fulfilling his cherished wish. The GoFundMe page raised more than $402,000 through over 13,500 donations, including a generous contribution of $5,000 from former "Saturday Night Live" cast member David Spade, who also sent a personal message to Ford.
As of now, there is no information available regarding any additional rewards or acknowledgments that Burger King or HMSHost may have bestowed upon Ford, as they have not responded to inquiries from various media outlets. However, Burger King mentioned to PEOPLE magazine that the video captured Ford receiving a "peer-to-peer reward in recognition of a short-term positive performance/experience." They also stated that their franchisee has a robust employee recognition program, which includes monetary rewards.
Ford expressed his gratitude for the support received, describing the experience as a dream he never wishes to wake up from. This heartwarming story highlights the power of social media and the generosity of people coming together to uplift an individual who had dedicated himself to his job for nearly three decades.