A Nevada Burger King chef who received a small gift from management for nearly 30 years of tireless work at the fast-food chain is starting a new venture in the culinary industry.
Kevin Ford is planning to open a food truck with his daughter after his story went viral and he raised more than $400,000 from a fundraising campaign. According to TMZ:.
Ford gained internet fame in 2022 after bosses at Burger King at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas celebrated his 27th anniversary at the fast-food restaurant with a variety of gifts.
To commemorate his nearly 30 years of service, Ford was presented with a backpack filled with movie tickets, Starbucks cups and an assortment of candy and chocolates.
His daughter, Selina, wasn’t too happy with her father’s boss, so I created a GoFundMe She wants to show her love for the man she says helped put her four daughters through high school and college thanks to his dedication to the chain.
“He originally gained custody of me and my sister 27 years ago and started out in this business as a single father,” Serena wrote in 2022.
“As our family grew and my husband remarried, he continued to work there because the employer was union and offered excellent health insurance, which enabled all four of our daughters to graduate from high school and college with full health insurance.”
Since then, the fundraiser has raised $459,800, well above its original goal of $200.
Ford purchased the black and silver food truck from China for about $20,000, and the mobile kitchen comes fully equipped with ovens, fryers and other appliances, the media reported.
The exterior is emblazoned with giant “K27Y” letters, commemorating his “Kevin 27 Years” during his rise to fame.
The Burger King employee and his daughter, who is trained at the French culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, plan to start with a basic menu of burgers and hot dogs.
Ford told the outlet that he wanted to include Filipino food on the menu to honour his Filipino fiancée.
Although Ford is embarking on an entrepreneurial journey, he remains a dedicated employee of Burger King, but told the outlet he plans to retire by May 2025, which would mark his 30th anniversary with the company.
The purchase of the new mobile dining facility comes just months after Ford bought his first home thanks to funds raised through GoFundMe.
He purchased the Pahrump, Nevada, home on Dec. 13, 2023, paying $177,000 for the 846-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. TMZ reported the news first.
“I just wanted to show you something. What you’ve done for me, what you’ve made possible. Just a hard-working guy.” Ford said in a video posted to Instagram. December 29th. “Now I know I need to do some work and I’m done with the harassers. I know it’s not a mansion but it’s mine.”
K27Y plans to start small pop-up stores around the area where he bought his house.
His grand opening is scheduled for October at a local Home Depot.
