Michiko Burton #

Introduction #

Michiko Burton is a former manager at a Wendy’s restaurant in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who was fired in September 2026 after video emerged showing her using garbage bags to tie a neurodivergent employee to kitchen equipment during a shift. Burton admitted tying the employee up but gave conflicting explanations — telling co-workers she needed him to “stay put” so she could work, and telling police it was part of a “TikTok trend” intended as a joke. The firing was confirmed by the restaurant’s general manager and its franchisee, Wendy’s of Bowling Green, and Murfreesboro police have since reopened an investigation into the incident.

Background Information #

Burton worked as a manager at the Wendy’s at 3341 South Church Street in Murfreesboro, a restaurant owned and operated by the franchisee Wendy’s of Bowling Green; the independently owned location opened in 2025. Little else about her personal history has been made public. WSMV4 Investigates attempted to contact Burton by phone and social media after the story aired and received no response.

The employee she tied up has not been publicly identified; WSMV4 reported that it is not naming the worker, who is neurodivergent. Neurodivergence is an umbrella term encompassing ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia, among other conditions, and about 20 percent of the world’s population is considered neurodivergent, according to the Neurodiversity Directory. Qualified neurodivergent employees are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation #

Context. Burton admitted tying the employee to kitchen equipment, and the act was captured on video, but no criminal charges were filed. What remains disputed is why: she told police it was a TikTok trend meant as a joke, while a co-worker and the employee’s family say she said she did not have time to “babysit” him.

The incident was recorded by Nicholus Murphy, a co-worker who said he filmed it after seeing trash bags used to tie the employee to equipment in the kitchen. The video showed the employee’s leg tied to a grill with garbage bags; the New York Post described a makeshift hold made of garbage bags attached to a metal counter. According to the Murfreesboro police report, the employee was tied up by Burton.

“I actually felt sad for him,” Murphy told the outlet. “I actually wanted to cry.” He said Burton told workers she did not have time to babysit the employee and needed him to “stay put” so she could do whatever she was doing in the back of the restaurant. When police investigated, Burton admitted tying the employee up but said the incident was a “TikTok trend” and “intended as a joke,” and that the worker was “okay” with being part of it, according to the report. Murphy disputed that explanation: “If there was a TikTok trend, then where’s the TikTok?”

Public Reaction and Consequences #

Murphy shared the video with his supervisors, prompting a staff meeting with officials from the franchise that Murphy recorded. In that meeting, an area manager called the incident unacceptable. “Whether it be a cruel joke or intended, I don’t care,” the area manager said. “Whatever went on a couple of Sundays ago is unacceptable. Flat out. With anybody, it’s unacceptable.” The same manager told staff: “That is why Michi is not here anymore. Michi is no longer a manager for us.” The restaurant’s general manager separately confirmed to WSMV4 that a manager was fired over the incident, and the franchise owner confirmed that Burton was fired as a result.

Burton was not charged or arrested after the employee told police he was not upset and not injured. The employee’s family asked Murfreesboro police to reopen the investigation after the video aired, and Wendy’s of Bowling Green issued a statement: “The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority. This behavior is inconsistent with our values and the standards we expect in our restaurants. Upon learning of the situation, it was promptly investigated and appropriate action was taken. We remain committed to maintaining a respectful workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.”

Current Status #

Murfreesboro police have reopened the investigation, according to Murphy and a source close to the investigation. Murphy said officers came to the restaurant and interviewed him and the area manager, and told him the case was being reopened; the source said police also reached out to the employee who was tied up to schedule a re-interview. Burton remains fired and has not been charged with a crime, and WSMV4’s attempts to reach her went unanswered.

Impact on Their Career/Life #

The incident ended Burton’s managerial role at the restaurant within days of the video airing, with the franchisee saying only that “appropriate action was taken” after it learned of the situation. The reopened police investigation leaves open the possibility of charges that were not filed the first time, though no such outcome has been determined. For the restaurant’s owner, the case became a public test of workplace standards, with the company saying it remains committed to “maintaining a respectful workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect.”