Drive-Thru Footage Spreads Widely as Investigation Launched After White Employee Wears Blackface at Burger King

Franchisee addresses incident

A Burger King franchisee launched an investigation after a White employee appeared in blackface at a drive-thru. A company spokesperson told The Independent that Burger King was aware of the video and considered the matter serious.

The spokesperson said the franchisee was addressing the situation with the team, manager and employee to make clear why the conduct was unacceptable and should not happen again. The company has not confirmed which branch was involved.

Customer exchange spreads online

The viral footage shows the employee wearing a Burger King hat and makeup around her face as she speaks with a customer in a car. The customer asks about the employee’s intentions, and the employee nods.

The customer also asks whether the worker understands the struggles Black people face. The article does not give further details about the exchange.

History of blackface

The Anti-Defamation League says blackface by White performers spread negative and demeaning stereotypes about Black people. The practice was first recorded in the United States in the 19th Century and continued into the 20th Century.

White performers mimicked enslaved people on Southern plantations, often portraying them as lazy and mocking their intelligence. Blackface began to decline as the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum, though the ADL says it remains an unfortunate practice.

Burger King’s global footprint

Burger King has not disclosed the location of the incident. The company’s website says it operates more than 19,000 locations across more than 120 countries and U.S. territories.