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People are visiting Steak’n Shake locations in large numbers after a local franchise owner in Rome, Georgia, honored Charlie Kirk. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was recently fatally shot during a public event. The tribute drew national attention among Kirk’s supporters.
The franchise owner, Wayne Robinson, put up a large billboard outside his restaurant. The sign read, “Charlie Kirk, 1993–2025. Stand up, speak out, stay bold.” Robinson explained that Kirk had influenced many young people and brought some to faith. The tribute became widely shared on social media.
Online reactions brought more customers to the restaurant. Supporters traveled from neighboring towns to dine at the location. Many said they wanted to show respect for Kirk and appreciation for the public gesture. Soon, the tribute became a national topic.
Steak’n Shake owner’s tribute and local response
Wayne Robinson acted quickly after hearing about Kirk’s death. He worked with his marketing team to put up the tribute billboard the next day. Robinson said Kirk’s activism had inspired him and described the loss as deeply personal. He wanted to show his respect through a public message.
People in Rome, Georgia, responded strongly to the billboard. Local residents visited Robinson’s Steak’n Shake to show support. Some customers shared that they drove in from surrounding towns just to eat at the restaurant after seeing the tribute.
The billboard was soon posted online and began gaining attention. Images of the billboard quickly spread across social media. The tribute soon gained traction beyond Rome, Georgia.
National attention and company reaction
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia posted the billboard image on social media. Her post amplified the story nationally. Supporters of Kirk responded by posting about eating at the franchise. They encouraged others to do the same.
The online activity caught the attention of Steak’n Shake’s leadership. Company officials said they were open to expanding the tribute to other locations. They noted the gesture was well-received by customers.
Other businesses also began making small tributes to Kirk. Frozen yogurt shops started placing stickers, and online petitions asked restaurants to honor Kirk’s favorite food and drinks. The tribute inspired similar gestures from other businesses.
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The decision by Wayne Robinson to honor Charlie Kirk with a public billboard began as a local act of respect. It quickly turned into a national discussion as people shared the tribute online. Supporters visited Steak’n Shake franchises to show solidarity, and other businesses followed with their own tributes.
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