It was just last month when a single TikTok video completely turned around business at a struggling Glenview, Illinois taco shop. The TikTok, which was filmed by the owner's daughter, showed the owner sitting down in an empty restaurant. The video included the caption, "I wish I could give her customers for Christmas."
The short video has since received over 50 million views, and as Taco-Bout-Joy's welcomes tons of new customers, a restaurant across the country has welcomed a similar social media fate.
Last week, burgeoning TikToker Keith Lee revealed that an employee at Frankensons, a family-owned restaurant in Las Vegas, reached out to him with the hopes that he could stop by for a meal. They then explained that business was very slow and they were also struggling to pay rent.
Lee accepted the invite, and instead of receiving a complimentary meal or compensation (another influencer gave the restaurant a $2,600 quote), he spent $86.73 on several menu items.
"I didn't charge absolutely anything," said Lee in his TikTok. "And I bought my own food. This taste test is to really see is it only because of the marketing or is the food or is the service bad. I can tell you right now, the service is not bad at all."
His praise-filled taste test has since received over 30 million views on TikTok, with people across the country eager to get their hands on Frankensons' peach chutney wings, garlic knots, Italian sub, and more.
As for Frankensons, business is booming thanks to the viral TikTok. “Our phone never stopped ringing. I’ve sold more lemon pepper wings in the last two days than I have in the past four months. I made more garlic knots yesterday and the day before than I’ve ever made,” Frank Steele, owner of Frankensons, said while speaking with Las Vegas' KTNV.
"All I can say is thank you. This has been life-changing," he added.
While the relationship between food influencers and restaurants has been turbulent at times, Lee and Steele have proved just how dynamic the pairing can be.
"Frank, if you watching this, I'm gonna be completely honest, you are an amazing man from what I saw. I appreciated your time and I appreciated your conversation," Lee divulged in his TikTok.
