Customer praises Whataburger server to manager, triggers debate

A viral TikTok of a customer praising a Whataburger employee with his manager has sparked debate among viewers, with some saying the customer may have accidentally fired the employee.

The client, known as TheDadBot (@thedadbot) on TikTok, posted the video on Jan. 17. As of January 18, the video had 2.4 million views. On TikTok, @thedadbot asked a Whataburger employee if he could speak to his manager. When the manager arrived, the customer told him the worker was a “great kid”.

He told the manager that he was visiting the Whataburger location on New Year’s Eve to get change for a hundred dollar bill since everywhere else was closed. That evening, the customer told the worker he needed orange juice because his blood sugar was low.

Later in the video, @thedadbot admitted to the audience that he lied about his blood sugar. He told the manager he “hopes” his story would convince the worker to allow him to buy the juice with the hundred-dollar bill, suggesting he lied because many fast-food restaurants do do not accept large bills.

The worker agreed to let him buy the juice but never took the bill. The TikToker said he insisted on paying, but the employee gave him the juice for free out of concern for his health. He even watched the TikToker down the juice and made sure he was okay before exiting the restaurant.

“Well, I owe you an orange juice, but I also wanted to tell you that you have a great young man there,” the customer told the manager.

Throughout the story, the manager nodded and murmured confirmations, but he seemed unimpressed.

“So I didn’t get the change I wanted, but I got the lesson I needed,” @thedadbot told the audience in a later clip.

“We have good kids out there,” he concluded.

@thedadbot #bekind #goodvibes #genz #salvaginghumanity #randomactsofkindness ♬ Original sound – TheDadBot

Despite the TikToker’s seemingly good intentions, some viewers worried his praise hurt more than it helped. Some said the manager was probably mad that the worker gave away a free juice.

“Now he’s in trouble for giving stuff away,” commented one viewer.

“And then they fired him for giving away a product,” wrote a second.

“Plot twist, you just fired the kid,” echoed another.

Some viewers noted the manager’s apparent disinterest.

“This manager didn’t seem to really care…” wrote one user.

“Managers don’t just tip the kid,” said a second.

Other users offered alternative answers to the outstanding service that the customer could use in the future.

“Never explain the details when someone breaks the rules for you. Just say, “He went above and beyond and made me feel valued as a customer,” advised one user.

“IF WE GIVE YOU SOMETHING FOR FREE AND SAY DON’T MENTION FOR DON’T MENTION,” another commented.

The Daily Dot contacted @thedadbot via TikTok comment and Whataburger via email.

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