Aussies with the munchies can now buy kebabs via the Lightning Network, after nationwide fast food chain Origin Kebabs inked a deal with TravelbyBit.

TravelbyBit is part-owned by Binance, which last year invested millions into the company as a way to increase crypto adoption worldwide.

Crypto payments trialed in four stores

Origin Kebabs has been accepting crypto payments via the Lightning Network and directly with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin and Litecoin at four of its Queensland stores since April 10. If the trial proves a hit with customers then crypto payments will roll out Australia-wide to its network of 49 stores.

The trial locations include stores at Westfield Chermside, the Queensland University of Technology, Broadbeach and Eagleby, which is claiming the title of ‘Australia’s first drive-thru bitcoin restaurant.’

“Within 40 minutes of installing it (in Chermside) we’d made a sale on Bitcoin,” said Origin Kebabs General Manager Burhan Goktas.

Easier than EFTPOS

Goktas said he was impressed with how easy to use the system was. “There’s an app on our iPad terminal, you scan the QR code and it (converts and) transfers actual dollars into our bank account. It’s quick and simple, if not faster than EFTPOS.

Goktas has already discussed a potential sponsorship with Coca-Cola to help with the roll out. “If we can get someone like Coca-Cola on board it just adds to the credibility of cryptocurrency,” he said.

“We’d encourage other major chains in the country to trial it to help further adoption. Jump on board!”

Lightning a perfect fit for kebabs

TravelbyBit founder and CEO Caleb Yeoh said fast food was a perfect use case for the Lightning Network.

“You can pay with Bitcoin, it’s instant and there are almost no fees,” he said. “It’s only for low value amounts, so if you look at kebab prices, that’s exactly what Lightning is for.”

He said users could set up a Wallet of Satoshi, order coins at a retail location using Binance Lite, and then grab a kebab “within minutes”.

Crypto true believer

Yeoh is a former Shell and Santos employee who became a crypto true believer and founded the company two years ago. “When Bitcoin reached $6000 I didn’t have to work any more so I thought I’d found a startup and help the BTC ecosystem.

“I do this as a passion and a hobby to drive adoption.”

He says TravelbyBit now has a network of 400 retail locations. “I live and spend most of my life with crypto,” he said.”That’s the main payment I’ve been using for most of my daily meals.”

Binance invests in TravelbyBit

Binance founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao is a big fan of the company, having invested $3.5 million into TravelbyBit last year. Yeoh said he speaks with CZ regularly.

“They are the ones behind pushing us to grow adoption. CZ is on our Board of Directors and owns a big stake of TravelbyBit and he’s funded us to drive adoption not just in Australia but around the world.”

Building Bitcoin tourism routes in every country

The company was also behind the world’s most crypto-friendly airport in Brisbane and the crypto friendly town of 1770. “Our main goal is to build Bitcoin tourism routes in every city in every country around the world,” he said.

No need to worry about exchange rates.

“The idea behind it is that international travelers can land in a place and not have to worry about exchange rates but pay for their entire travels with Bitcoin. You can do that now in Brisbane, you can land at the airport, get your airport transfers, you can shop, get a meal, go to the bar and take a journey from there to the Great Barrier Reef and pay for everything with Bitcoin. If you came from overseas you don’t have to convert anything into Australian dollars.

“I believe Bitcoin is the world’s truly global currency.”