A Steak ‘n Shake restaurant in Rome, Georgia, has unexpectedly become the focus of national attention after its owner created a touching billboard tribute to slain activist Charlie Kirk.
Owner Wayne Robinson, president of Wayne Robinson Holdings, said he felt a deep personal calling to honor Kirk the day after his assassination on September 10. “Charlie was inspiring so many young people and leading them to faith,” Robinson told Fox News Digital. “His death hit me hard.”
Robinson’s tribute featured a bold roadside sign with Kirk’s name, his birth and death years (1993–2025), and the message: “Stand up, speak out, stay bold.”
What began as a local gesture quickly spread nationwide after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shared the image online. The post went viral, gathering millions of reactions on X and drawing visitors from across the country to the small-town restaurant.
“People are driving here just to eat and pay their respects,” Robinson said, noting that the post drew tens of thousands of local comments. Many customers posted messages like, “Eating at Steak ‘n Shake because they honored Charlie Kirk.”
The buzz grew so big that Steak ‘n Shake’s corporate office contacted Robinson. Though he hadn’t sought approval first, executives praised the tribute, and even the company’s owner expressed interest in replicating it nationwide.
Still mourning, Robinson said Kirk’s legacy continues to inspire. “He’s sparked a revival this country needed,” he reflected. “This billboard is just my way of ensuring his light never fades.”
