A Chicago business owner is speaking out about the challenges she faces as crime and violence continue to impact her livelihood. Jackie Jackson, the owner of Fatburger in Chatham, has shared her story of struggle, resilience, and determination to keep her restaurant open while giving back to the South Side neighborhood she calls home.

Jackson opened the Fatburger location at 825 E. 87th Street in November of last year. Since then, she has invested in extensive safety measures to protect her business and staff. These include installing protective glass at the counter, adding security doors, building a sturdy iron fence around the property, setting up panic buttons, and using a high-tech surveillance system. More recently, she has also arranged for the Chicago Police Department to maintain a presence for added protection.

Despite her best efforts, the restaurant has been the target of violence. In December, a group of teenagers stormed into the business and attacked one of her employees. Surveillance footage captured the frightening incident, which left staff shaken. Weeks later, another group jumped behind the counter in an attempt to cause chaos, but this time a quick-thinking customer intervened. Jackson expressed gratitude that the customer, who was a licensed concealed carry holder, used his firearm to scare the group away before the situation escalated further.

For Jackson, the incidents have been troubling on both a personal and professional level. She explained that the deeper issue begins at home, where young people need guidance and accountability. As a former educator, she strongly believes that the lack of foundation in households spills over into schools, businesses, and the streets, creating cycles of violence and disruption that hurt communities.

Her commitment to her neighborhood runs deep. In addition to Fatburger, Jackson owns seven Kilwins locations throughout the city, but she deliberately chose to invest in her own community. She employs 17 students from Chicago Vocational School, where she herself graduated. Many of these students are culinary students who are not just earning paychecks but are learning valuable entrepreneurship skills. Jackson said her goal is to give them real opportunities to develop leadership, management, and life skills that will one day allow them to start businesses of their own.

This philosophy comes from her own experience as a teenager. She recalled that she started working at McDonald’s and Burger King when she was only 14 years old. Those early opportunities gave her both income and the confidence to pursue her career path, and now she feels it is her turn to pass those chances on to young people in her neighborhood.

One of her employees, a teen who was attacked during the December incident, has since returned to work. Jackson said he will be recognized for his courage and commitment to continue despite the trauma he experienced.

Support has started to come in from community members and leaders who admire Jackson’s determination. Businessman and philanthropist Early Walker has pledged to support her efforts by sponsoring free meals for the first 100 customers at Fatburger one morning, showing that local businesses are not alone in their struggles. Walker said his intention is to give comfort and strength to Jackson, reminding her that the community stands behind her.

Jackson explained that it is not financial gain that drives her. Instead, she wants to provide something positive for the people of Chatham and to ensure that her restaurant serves as more than a place to buy food. For her, Fatburger represents a chance to bring stability, opportunity, and hope into a neighborhood facing challenges. She emphasized that she has no intention of closing the doors despite what has happened.

Community leaders, customers, and supporters have been visiting her location, encouraging her to continue her mission. While police are still investigating the first incident and no arrests have been made, Jackson remains hopeful that accountability and community action can create real change.

Her resilience demonstrates the difficulties that small businesses face in high-crime areas, but it also highlights the strength and determination of entrepreneurs who are willing to fight for their communities. Jackie Jackson is determined to make her Fatburger in Chatham not just a restaurant but a symbol of perseverance, community investment, and opportunity for future generations.