A 19-year-old former Wendy's manager in Tennessee was arrested and charged with simple assault and false imprisonment after tying a neurodivergent employee to a grill. The manager, Michiko Burton, admitted to the incident and claimed it was part of a TikTok trend intended as a joke, but the allegation has raised serious concerns about workplace safety and the treatment of vulnerable employees. The incident, which was filmed and viewed by millions online, has caused significant trauma to the victim and prompted his family to consider legal action.

Burton was booked into custody on a $2,000 bond with a court appearance scheduled for 22 October. The employee was tied to the grill for approximately seven minutes whilst Burton stated she needed him to remain in place whilst she attended to office work. Initially, when police interviewed the victim, he reported he was neither upset nor injured, but following the video's circulation, the family's attorney questioned this account and requested that police reopen their investigation. Wendy's subsequently fired Burton and issued a statement affirming its commitment to employee safety and dignity.