Customer Answers Phone at IHOP after All the Workers Reportedly Quit Mid-shift

When a TikToker paid a visit to IHOP, he was surprised to find the restaurant empty. In the now-viral clip, the patron answered the phone and explained the puzzling situation to a customer.

Workers at an IHOP in Chattanooga, Tennessee, seemed to have vanished from the restaurant premises last month. In a video, the American pancake house looked completely deserted.

It was claimed that the workers walked out in the middle of a shift. User @Dj20Grand recorded himself as he walked through what appeared to be the back of the IHOP kitchen.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IHOP

No staff members, chefs, or managers could be spotted in the store, which created lots of confusion. As the TikToker walked past an office, he stopped to answer the phone.

He had a full-blown conversation with the customer on the other end of the line. Netizens found the Tiktoker's initial phone greeting amusing. He answered the phone and said: "Thank you for calling IHOP, how you doing? [sic]"

NOT AN IHOP EMPLOYEE

He then stated that he didn't work at IHOP and claimed all of the workers walked out. He encouraged the customer to come by the store so that they could also "start grabbing bacon."

In the midst of many amused online commentators, some users indicated that the clip highlighted a serious issue within America.

While the TikToker chatted to the customer on the phone, an IHOP employee caught him in the office. While it was unclear if the man was a genuine IHOP employee, he did claim the office as his own.

ONLINE REACTION

The clip now has millions of views, and netizens have come up with their own opinions. Many users found the scenario ridiculous and didn't believe the man who claimed he worked in the IHOP office.

People noted that he looked like a "homeless man" trying to see what they could get from the deserted store. One user said: “That dude DID NOT look like he worked there either.”

AMUSED NETIZENS

Others were amused by the TikToker and how he answered the IHOP phone. Paired with laughing emojis, a netizen commented: "Dude turned from cook to manager to hostess in 30 seconds."

Another user stated that the video deserved the award for the best Tiktok of 2021. In the midst of many amused online commentators, some users indicated that the clip highlighted a serious issue within America.

REASONS FOR THE WALKOUT

Users pointed out possible reasons for the alleged employee walkout and empty restaurant. One person expressed: "This is [going to] happen a lot more. People are tired of being underappreciated."

Another echoed this sentiment and said they "wished people would do this for Amazon." Despite the comedic element of the video, it seemed to strike a chord with many about the serious need to improve working conditions.