Customer Gives $40k to Wendy's Team Member Via TikTok Venmo Challenge

Eric Allen, a crew member at a Wendy’s restaurant in Houston, TX owned by franchise organization LaTrelle’s Management Corporation, has a strategy when it comes to working the drive-thru.

“Speed of service is important, so I really try to make my first impression my best impression every time,” he says.  “Every single customer that comes through; I just let them know, man, hey, this is the spot to be. Right here, this morning, y'all."

One day in April (Good Friday, actually), a loyal Wendy’s customer, Tracey Ferrin, picked up on Eric’s energy when she and her husband swung by to cure a sudden Wendy’s Frosty-and-french-fries craving.

“We pulled up and this authentic, enthusiastic, full-of-joy voice greets us and takes our order,” Tracey says. “I was so taken back by how joyful this man was, I perked up and became a bit curious as to who was behind the headset.”

When they pulled up to the window, Tracey had the urge to record the exchange. It’s a natural thought for the mother of two, who has developed a TikTok following of nearly 430,000 people. Short videos of seemingly innocuous situations are never far from her mind.

“I recorded him, because I originally just wanted to share his joy with my friends on Facebook,” Tracey says. “I knew my words would not do this man justice. My friends just needed to witness for themselves what I had, firsthand.”

The video received 100 likes and some comments, but that was it. Fast forward four months to August and Tracey still couldn’t get Eric out of her mind. So, she posted the video to TikTok, not really expecting much.

She awoke the following morning to hundreds of comments, including one suggesting she do a “Venmo Challenge” for Eric. Much like a GoFundMe campaign, the Venmo Challenge involves TikTok followers chipping in to raise money for restaurant workers like Eric who create incredible experiences for customers.

“She came back to the restaurant one morning, looking for me,” Eric says. “She was looking for my name, because she didn't know; she didn't have a name behind the mask. We just started conversating.”

The conversation turned into an invitation – for Eric to have dinner at the Ferrin’s.

“She just said she had a surprise for me,” Eric says. “I was just thinking that I was going to come and meet the family. I wasn't expecting to walk inside the house and when I did, I didn't even, like, really realize the check was right there.”

A big check. A check for $40,000 – with Eric’s name on it.

“I was looking at all the people who were there, then the boss man, Mr. Wally (James) was there. I was like, ‘Whaaat?!’ And then – it was crazy! It was crazy! I still didn't recognize that there was a forty-thousand-dollar check right there. I was just so surprised that everybody was here, like, ‘Get out of here.’ I haven't had a surprise party since I left Arkansas, ya'll.”

Reality sunk in soon after that, though. And while Eric’s life has changed in some ways because of the money – he now has 30,000 TikTok followers – it hasn’t changed him.

“This is who he is, so when we heard about all this, we thought it couldn’t happen to a better person,” says Cameron James, Operations Director for LaTrelle’s. “This is just who he is. We’ve known it, internally.”

Not surprisingly, Eric has used the money to help other people.

“I still interact with Miss Tracey. We are helping people on TikTok, like one guy who needed heart surgery. I want to use my money to give back, because it was given to me, you know?” Eric says.

“And it did help me to get a car and put myself back on my two feet. And I'm very humbled. I'm very humbled just to give back, because I believe in charity. Charity is the greatest gift of all. You know, and when you do give back, you will receive double, you know? And that's what I feel like doing, that's in my heart, and I believe that.”

It’s heartwarming to see how contagious joy can be. Thank you for spreading the love to your fellow Wendy’s crew and beyond, Eric!