Waffle House cook's rap hit 1 million views; weeks later he says he was fired

Edric Riley, known as "Rockstar Riley" to Waffle House patrons and colleagues, gained widespread online fame after his rap song, "Waffy Options," celebrating the restaurant chain went viral. The catchy tune amassed over 1 million views on TikTok and garnered hundreds of thousands of views and shares on Instagram. However, his newfound popularity was short-lived as the restaurant chain terminated his employment amid repeated violations of its policy on filming promotional content on company premises, according to Atlanta News First.

Riley's connection with Waffle House began when he was just 15, after an eight-month-long effort to secure the job. Eventually, he became involved with the restaurant chain for over two decades, working in various roles. Inspired by his experiences, he penned the song "Waffy Options" in September 2025, which was recorded and released in early 2025.

In the accompanying video, Riley donned his Waffle House uniform and performed behind the counter while customers and coworkers watched. The song praised the restaurant's menu, 24/7 availability, and encouraged patrons to visit their local Waffle House.

Despite Waffle House's initial interest in incorporating Riley's music into the restaurant experience, the company terminated his employment after discovering he had repeatedly broken its policy on unauthorized filming of promotional media content on company property. Riley had filmed a music video in a restaurant parking lot without permission, using a production crew, lighting, and backup dancers.

The company acknowledged they had spoken to Riley about the policy and warned him that repeated violations could lead to termination.

Riley expressed disappointment with the decision, claiming that his music was born out of his love for both his work and his art. He also questioned whether the company's enforcement of the policy had been applied equally. Riley maintained that he was merely promoting his employer in the most positive light possible. Despite the termination, he expressed willingness to rejoin Waffle House if given the opportunity, stating that he loves the restaurant and its culture.

Following his dismissal, Riley received support from music producers and artists and launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover living expenses and studio time as he pursues a career in music full-time.