By Orit Naomi , RTN staff writer - 4.6.2025
In a move that signals growing adoption of digital currencies in the restaurant industry, FAT Brands Inc. (Nasdaq: FAT), the global franchising powerhouse behind iconic restaurant chains such as Johnny Rockets, Fatburger, Round Table Pizza, and Great American Cookies, has announced that franchisees can now make royalty payments in Bitcoin.
This development positions FAT Brands as one of the first major restaurant franchisors to embrace cryptocurrency in its core financial infrastructure—a bold shift that aligns with the company’s commitment to innovation and international growth.
“Over the years, Bitcoin has transformed into a mainstream asset and, as a company, we see great value in expanding our forms of payments for our franchisees,” said FAT Brands COO Thayer Wiederhorn. “We look forward to utilizing Bitcoin as an efficient tool for streamlining and simplifying the payment process.”
A Digital Leap for Global Franchise Operations
FAT Brands currently operates over 2,300 restaurant locations across 18 different concepts. More than 20% of these units are operated by international franchisees—many of whom, Wiederhorn notes, stand to benefit most from the Bitcoin payment option. By using cryptocurrency, these franchisees may be able to avoid costly foreign exchange fees, reduce transfer delays, and circumvent complexities often tied to cross-border banking systems.
Franchisees will be able to pay fees—including development and royalty payments—by sending Bitcoin to a FAT Brands-managed crypto wallet business account. From there, the company has the flexibility to convert the Bitcoin to U.S. dollars or retain it, depending on market conditions and strategic treasury decisions.
A representative for the company told Decrypt that while Bitcoin is the only cryptocurrency accepted for now, support for additional digital assets like Ethereum or Solana could be added in the future.
A Growing Trend: Crypto’s Quiet Expansion in Hospitality
While the announcement is noteworthy, FAT Brands is not alone in exploring crypto’s potential in foodservice. The past year has seen a number of high-profile developments connecting cryptocurrency with the restaurant space. In 2024, for instance, the on-chain dining rewards platform Blackbird made headlines for bringing crypto payments to several top-tier restaurants in New York City. Meanwhile, major QSR brands such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut have dabbled in Web3 collaborations, including NFT loyalty programs and limited-time metaverse experiences.
Still, FAT Brands’ move is particularly significant because it integrates crypto at the operational level—not as a consumer-facing novelty, but as a core business payment method. This elevates Bitcoin’s role from digital curiosity to a viable financial tool within one of the most operationally complex sectors of the global economy.
Not Quite at the Counter—Yet
So what about customers buying burgers or milkshakes with Bitcoin? “Potentially, but not today,” said a FAT Brands spokesperson, suggesting that retail-facing crypto payments may be in the brand’s longer-term roadmap. For now, the company’s focus is on back-office efficiency and global franchisee convenience.
This distinction is important. While consumer crypto adoption remains niche, corporate and B2B applications—like those FAT Brands is pioneering—are becoming more attractive as the technology matures. With volatility somewhat normalized and infrastructure such as business wallets and crypto tax reporting tools becoming more accessible, enterprises are increasingly experimenting with blockchain-based financial operations.
Strategic Timing Amid Economic Uncertainty
FAT Brands’ announcement also comes at a time of global economic volatility. With new tariffs introduced by President Trump—including levies as high as 49% on goods from countries like Cambodia—many international companies are re-evaluating their currency strategies and financial exposure. For franchise systems operating across multiple continents, the ability to accept decentralized, borderless payments can offer a hedge against such uncertainties.
And despite Bitcoin’s recent volatility, which has drawn comparisons to high-beta tech stocks, its appeal as a long-term store of value and transactional medium continues to gain traction among businesses with a global footprint.
Looking Ahead
As more restaurant operators seek operational flexibility and greater control over their payment ecosystems, FAT Brands’ decision could serve as a bellwether for broader crypto integration across the industry. Whether additional franchisors follow suit remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: the intersection of foodservice and fintech is heating up.
And while customers may not be buying Fatburgers with Bitcoin just yet, the infrastructure FAT Brands is building today could eventually pave the way for a future where the blockchain is as common in restaurant tech stacks as POS systems and loyalty apps.
