Columbia, SC (WLTX) The Fuddruckers restaurant on Bush River Rd. opened in 1985.
About two years later, a young man with autism came in with an employment coach, looking for his first job.
"In late April of 1987, I had a job coach with me. Her name was Thomasina Jackson," recalls Brian Shumard. Brian got the job, and he's been here ever since.
Emily Teague's father opened the restaurant, and she doesn't recall a time when Brian wasn't there.
Emily says, "I've been in here since I was a baby with my dad. So I've known him my whole life."
News19 followed Brian around for a while to see what he does, and it seems to me that he just runs circles around everyone.
Brian says, "I just monitor the place and observe, and just inspect, like going under the tables and picking up any trash on the floor... yeah, because kids will make a mess."
"When he gets here, he mops the floors and everything. After you've finished your food, he'll clean the tables, take your plates to the back, and just straighten up around the restaurant," say Emily, explaining Brian's duties.
Brian says he's witnessed a lot of changes to the place over the years, and he seems to remember every single one.
"Since I got started here there used to be ketchup and mustard bottles on the tables, and table clothes. And the menu was small in size. And we used to have white uniforms with black shoes," recalls Brian.
If you ask him a question, you're sure to get a completely honest response, like the fact that he likes most of those changes that have been made in his 30-plus years, including menu updates.
"We had some new menu items. Because without it, this place would be exceptionally boring. I also like getting tips too," admits Brian.
Brian earns those tips. If you ask anyone around him, they'll say he's a hard worker.
Emily says, "He is all over the place. It can be a busy Saturday and you won't need more than just him out here taking care of the tables. And you're still not gonna have to wait for a table. Cause if he sees that it's dirty, he's gonna run to it and clean it up as fast as he can."
Brian says he still enjoys coming to work every day. One of the biggest reasons, of course, is because he loves the food. His favorite thing to eat there is the hamburgers. He'll use his tips to eat at other restaurants every now and again, but not too often.
He says, "I just don't want to get into too much competition."
After working there for such a long time, one might suppose that Brian could consider retirement. But it's not something anyone is really thinking about just yet.
Emily says, "I've never thought about it really. He's just been here forever. I've gotten used to him being here, and I don't want to think about him leaving."
And besides, he's probably too busy working to think about that anyway.