Waffle House fired its viral rapper. Rockstar Riley talks new music, jingles and what comes next

Rockstar Riley, the Atlanta-area rapper behind the viral song "Waffy Options," was fired from Waffle House earlier this month, but he isn't recording a diss track.

Waffle House said Riley was fired after repeatedly violating company rules that prohibit filming promotional material on its property without permission. The company said he had been warned before filming a music video in a restaurant parking lot with a production crew, lighting and backup dancers.

The rapper, born Edric Riley, told CBS News Atlanta that Waffle House ended his employment when he arrived for a recent shift at the company's Sandy Springs location.

"I was upset. I was hurt," Riley said. "But I knew that me doing music was my bigger dream."

Riley acknowledged that the videos contributed to his firing but questioned whether the rules were applied equally to other employees posting online. He said his content promoted Waffle House in a positive way.

The company said Riley was hired in 2008 and worked there intermittently for a total of slightly more than four and a half years. Riley describes his relationship with Waffle House as spanning nearly two decades, with breaks in his employment.

"I'm not about to sit here and bad-mouth them," Riley said. "Waffle House was just a stepping stone to where I am today."

From the grill to the recording studio

Riley attracted widespread attention after a customer posted a video of him performing "Waffy Options" at the Waffle House on Roswell Road. The song surpassed 1 million TikTok views and collected hundreds of thousands of additional views and shares on Instagram.

The rapper had hoped to place "Waffy Options" and his other restaurant-inspired songs on Waffle House jukeboxes. Now, he says he is pursuing music full time.

Riley said he is discussing a possible agreement with an independent music group but declined to identify the company. No deal has been announced.

"I'm independent for now," Riley said. "I'm not going to sign with a major label right now unless they were talking good money, but also not trying to take so much from my creative side."

He said he has completed full projects and plans to release new music, though he does not have a release date. Riley also said discussions are underway for a possible multistate tour.

New music beyond Waffle House

Riley said his next chapter will move beyond songs about waffles, hash browns and breakfast plates.

He recently recorded "Welcome to the A," a profanity-free song about Atlanta with independent artist Daryl Bailey. Riley said he is also recording features and creating custom jingles for businesses.

"I have the full platform, and I've always had the talent for it," Riley said. "This is literally what I've been waiting for."

His affection for Waffle House, however, remains part of his story.

"There's no love lost," Riley said. "I love Waffle House."

For the rapper who turned a restaurant shift into a viral stage, losing the job has not stopped the music. Riley said it has given him the chance to pursue it without a second shift waiting.

"The lesson I took from this was keep chasing your dream, even if somebody tries to stop it," he said.