Thanks to Generous Donations“I wanted to give back to the world for what has been done for me, Kevin Ford.
A Burger King employee, gained widespread attention in 2022 when a video showcased the gifts he received after completing 27 years of perfect attendance at the fast-food restaurant. Following the video’s viral spread and subsequent criticism of the gifts, Ford’s daughter created a GoFundMe page, which helped him purchase his first home earlier this year and is now empowering him to chase another “beautiful dream.” I’m going to serve some great food and give it my all,” he said.
This Burger King employee, who gained fame for never missing a single shift in 27 years, is now poised to make another life-altering change due to a fundraising initiative.
After revealing earlier this year that he had purchased his first house with the help of the many supporters who rallied around him since 2022, 57-year-old Kevin Ford now shares that he has bought a food truck, which will hopefully allow him to retire from his fast-food job.
The father of four from Pahrump, Nevada, expressed that launching this new business is a way for him to thank those who supported his GoFundMe, started by one of his daughters. As of Monday, September 16, the “Kevin 27 Years BK” GoFundMe has raised over $465,000.
“I wanted to repay what the world has done for me,” he stated. “Not only do I want to earn money, but I also want to contribute to the community.”
Ford shared that he acquired the food truck, equipped with a flat-top grill and a fryer, after watching a video from a food truck technology company. The side of his truck features the logo “K27Y,” representing his name and his many years of dedicated service.
Once the venture is launched (the exact timing is yet to be confirmed), the menu will include classic American items like hot dogs and fries. Ford is also looking forward to bringing his fiancée from the Philippines to the U.S. once her visa situation is sorted.
“When she arrives, I plan to include traditional Filipino dishes,” he explained. “I want to blend American and Filipino cuisines and create some exciting fusions. My daughter Seryna, a trained chef from Le Cordon Bleu, will be assisting me with the recipes.”
He acknowledges that he is still familiarizing himself with the food truck business and is taking a cautious approach before the official launch. As this marks his first venture into entrepreneurship, Ford believes that anyone can embark on a new journey, regardless of age.
“I’m committed to working hard on this day and night,” he said about his food truck. “I’m going to learn everything I can and enjoy the process. I will serve delicious food and go for it.”
This new endeavor represents another significant milestone in Ford’s life, one that may not have occurred without the viral video from two years ago. In that recording, Ford—who works as a cook at the Burger King in Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport—displayed a gift bag he received from management in recognition of his nearly three decades of attendance.
The bag contained items such as a Starbucks cup, a bag of Reese’s Pieces, two packs of Life Savers, a couple of pens, a lanyard, and two keychains. Ford, who has four daughters and three grandchildren, explained to PEOPLE that he recorded the video because HMSHost, the food service provider for Burger King, encourages employees to share social media posts for recruitment purposes.
“All I could think was how thankful I was to have a job,” Ford shared, noting that other Burger King workers had served longer than he had without receiving a similar acknowledgment. “I was genuinely grateful to receive anything. I asked a coworker to film me, and I recorded the video to express my appreciation for what was in that bag.”
His colleague later shared the video on Instagram, and it quickly went viral on TikTok. “I was on my way to work when a coworker called to tell me the video had taken off. By the time I reached work, it had already amassed a million views.”
Many viewers criticized the contents of the gift bag, arguing they were insufficient for someone with Ford’s extensive tenure. In response to the backlash, Ford’s daughter Seryna initiated a GoFundMe campaign, explaining that her father started working at Burger King as a single parent after gaining custody of her and her older sister years ago. She also pointed out that because of Burger King’s favorable health benefits, he could maintain his long-term employment while supporting his daughters through their college years.
To this day, Ford is overwhelmed by the support he has received.
“My entire life changed when my daughter, along with the world, stepped in to help me,” he reflected. “They transformed my life. They continue to contribute, and I’m grateful every single day.”With the funds raised through GoFundMe, Ford was able to purchase his first home.
“When I was married, we struggled to find a rental, and we purchased a house once or twice,” he recounted. “But we always had to let it go due to financial reasons or the market. The feeling of independence and knowing it truly belongs to me is indescribable. I am deeply thankful to the world for making this possible. It’s beyond beautiful.”
While he awaits the launch of his food truck, Ford continues to work at Burger King, though he now only puts in four days a week due to a back issue. He plans to retire as soon as the truck generates enough revenue to cover his expenses.
“I am just like everyone else. Bills need to be paid, and you still have to get up and go to work every morning. But yes, it’s indeed a beautiful dream that continues to unfold,” he said. “The ‘Kevin 27 Years’ GoFundMe has permanently changed my life and that of my children and grandchildren. People continue to support and contribute, and it’s a truly wonderful thing.”
