Sacramento, California, September 7, 2025
News Summary
Five restaurants in Sacramento, California, including Brookfields Restaurants, are leading the charge in accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment. This initiative aims to appeal to younger consumers and adapt to shifting payment preferences in the restaurant industry. Participating restaurants will utilize Foodtoken.net for processing transactions, which offers lower fees compared to traditional credit card payments. A press conference is scheduled to announce these changes and showcase the new payment methods, marking a significant step towards integrating cryptocurrency into everyday commerce.
Sacramento, California is set to embrace the cryptocurrency trend as five local restaurants begin accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment. This significant shift, aimed at attracting a younger demographic, coincides with evolving payment preferences in the restaurant industry.
Brookfields Restaurants, a well-established chain operating for over 40 years, is at the forefront of this movement. The restaurant chain, which has transitioned from an 85% cash payment model in the 1980s to relying on credit card transactions for 85-87% of its payments today, will now allow customers to purchase $50 gift cards by scanning a QR code. This innovative payment option is intended to cater to tech-savvy patrons, particularly younger customers likely to use cryptocurrencies.
Alongside Brookfields, three additional restaurant chains and a winery in Sacramento are adopting cryptocurrency payment methods through a service known as Foodtoken.net, which efficiently processes popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Tether. The platform is attractive to businesses due to its lower fees compared to traditional credit card charges.
A Gallup poll revealed that approximately one in seven adults in the U.S. owns some form of cryptocurrency, although 60% of individuals surveyed expressed no interest in purchasing it. This statistic illustrates a varying degree of acceptance and interest in digital currency among the population. Industry experts suggest that increasing transactions conducted in cryptocurrencies will enhance their market viability and encourage wider adoption.
In tandem with the adoption of cryptocurrency payment options, California has recently enacted legislation regulating aspects of the crypto market. This new law aims to instill confidence among skeptics of digital currencies, as highlighted by local representatives. The annual credit card fees incurred by Brookfields, ranging from $360,000 to $400,000, underscored the restaurant’s interest in reducing costs through the acceptance of cryptocurrency payments.
The announcement of these new payment options will be made at a press conference taking place at noon on Friday at the State Capitol’s West Lawn. This event will welcome representatives from the participating restaurant chains and will feature food samples. Key speakers will include industry leaders and local congressmen, who anticipate that Sacramento’s move towards embracing cryptocurrency will establish the city as a leader in financial innovation.
Context of Cryptocurrency Acceptance in Restaurants
The integration of cryptocurrencies into restaurant payment systems is a reflection of broader trends in consumer behavior and technology adoption. As more individuals explore digital currencies, businesses are increasingly looking to cater to these preferences. The rationale behind implementing cryptocurrency payment options includes not only attracting younger customers but also managing operational costs more effectively.
Efforts to make cryptocurrency more accessible continue to gain momentum across various sectors, aiming to bridge a gap between conventional commerce and digital finance. As the landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the restaurant industry and consumer payment preferences in the years to come.
Key Features of the Cryptocurrency Payment Initiative
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Technology Used | QR code for gift card purchases |
| Adopting Chains | Five restaurants including Brookfields |
| Currencies Accepted | Bitcoin, Tether, and other popular cryptocurrencies |
| Fees | Reduced fees compared to traditional credit card processing |
| Customer Demographics | Targeting younger consumers and crypto users |
FAQ
What is the new payment method being introduced?
Five Sacramento restaurants will start accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies through a system that enables customers to purchase gift cards by scanning a QR code.
Which restaurants are participating in this initiative?
Brookfields Restaurants is leading the initiative, along with three other restaurant chains and a winery in Sacramento, all utilizing the Foodtoken.net service.
How does Foodtoken.net benefit restaurants?
Foodtoken.net facilitates cryptocurrency transactions at lower fees than traditional credit cards, potentially saving restaurants significant annual costs.
What is the demographic focus of this new payment method?
The main focus is on attracting younger customers who are more likely to use cryptocurrencies.
When will the formal announcement be made?
A press conference will be held at noon on Friday at the State Capitol’s West Lawn to announce the new payment methods and participating restaurants.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Fox40: Sacramento Restaurants Accepting Bitcoin
- Wikipedia: Cryptocurrency
- Spectrum News: Cryptocurrency Payment Legislation
- Google Search: Cryptocurrency Trends in Restaurants
- Sac Bee: Capitol Alert on Cryptocurrency
- Google Scholar: Cryptocurrency in the Restaurant Industry
- KFBK: Capitol Event on Cryptocurrency
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cryptocurrency in Business
- Sac Bee: The State Worker on Cryptocurrency
- Google News: Cryptocurrency Legislation 2025
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