In the United States, some people are paying others to wait in line to get food that has gained popularity through TikTok. Multiple outlets describe how so-called “line sitters” help customers obtain items that draw long waits, ranging from desserts such as cronuts to other viral foods. One business mentioned, Same Ole Line Dudes, is described as responding to demand that has increased as TikTok posts spread and drive more customers to specific restaurants and bakeries.
The outlets say the service involves hiring workers who physically wait in line on behalf of customers, rather than customers arriving early themselves. Same Ole Line Dudes is described as employing dozens of line sitters who can handle orders in New York and beyond. The business model includes taking requests for “anything that requires a wait,” indicating it does not focus on only one product.
Overall, the coverage frames the trend as a business catering to consumers’ desire to obtain highly sought-after, social-media-driven food items despite lengthy queues.
