Steak 'n Shake billboard honoring Charlie Kirk draws surge of supportive customers

ROME, GEORGIA: Wayne Robinson, a businessman from Georgia, paid tribute to Charlie Kirk by putting up a billboard in honor of the slain conservative activist.

His actions drew national attention as customers flocked to his restaurant, Steak ‘n Shake, to show solidarity with his tribute. 

Restaurant honors Charlie Kirk's legacy 

Steak ‘n Shake, a 1950s-inspired restaurant chain famous for its milkshakes and burgers, is owned by Robinson, who is the president of Wayne Robinson Holdings.

The restaurant chain has hundreds of locations across the country, and the one in Rome, Georgia, is where the billboard was put up in honor of Kirk. 

Talking to Fox News Digital, Robinson said that he was devastated when Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at a debate at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Noting that he was impressed by Kirk’s debate with students at college campuses, Robinson said, "I've always been a follower of Charlie. He was bringing so many of those young people to Christ. … He touched me, and when the assassination happened, it was something that really wore heavy on me."

The day after Kirk’s death, Robinson was compelled to do something. He then alerted one of his marketing partners to "put something out there to honor Charlie."

The billboard reads, "Charlie Kirk, 1993-2025," followed by the words, "Stand up, speak out, stay bold."

Charlie Kirk tribute goes viral

Within days, the billboard went viral on X (formerly Twitter), and Robinson noted the local response "has been phenomenal."

"I think it's got 58,000 local comments. … People from outlying areas [are] saying they're going to drive to my store just to eat lunch, eat dinner, just to pay respect for what I've done for Charlie," he said.

Robinson's location wasn't the only Steak 'n Shake spot that received an outpouring of customers after the billboard went viral.

When Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Congresswoman who represents Rome, posted a picture of the billboard online, people across the country said they would patronize the chain. 

Robinson said that his store received calls from across the country, from Michigan to Wisconsin to California, just to say thank you.

"They took the time to physically find us, find our phone number at the store, and call to say thank you for doing that," he said.

Robinson said he was contacted by his corporate office, praising him for the billboard going viral and seeking permission to use it nationwide.

Wayne Robinson's admiration of Charlie Kirk

Robinson is still saddened by Kirk’s death, but believes that his legacy is influencing many people, changing their minds. "He has started a revival across the country that has been so needed," Robinson said.

"I don't think he would have ever thought, in his wildest dreams, the response that would have taken place after he was assassinated," he added. "But the movement is great … and I just appreciate all that he did."