In a notable development in the fast food industry, Steak ‘n Shake has strategically invested $10 million in Bitcoin (BTC), marking a significant expansion of its commitment to cryptocurrency just eight months after introducing Bitcoin payment options.
The popular American chain began accepting Bitcoin at its U.S. locations in May 2025, utilizing the Lightning Network. This decision was driven by the desire to lower credit card processing fees by 50%, while also appealing to a younger demographic that’s increasingly engaged with digital currencies.
Reports have emerged indicating that this cryptocurrency initiative has resulted in a significant surge in sales for Steak ‘n Shake. The company has reported a remarkable more than 15% growth in same-store sales month-over-month during the fourth quarter of last year. In a post shared on X, Steak ‘n Shake celebrated the positive impact of its Bitcoin payment system, stating, “Eight months ago today, Steak n Shake launched its burger-to-Bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments. Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since.”
The fast food chain described its approach as a “self-sustaining” ecosystem, where customers paying in Bitcoin lead to increased sales and the crypto revenue is funneled into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. This reserve is intended to finance upgrades, including enhancements in food quality and restaurant renovations, all while keeping prices stable for consumers.
In a move to commemorate its crypto engagement, Steak ‘n Shake originally introduced the Bitcoin Steakburger last October to celebrate the five-month milestone of accepting Bitcoin payments. This unique burger features the Bitcoin logo on its top bun, and the company has committed to donating a portion of each Bitcoin Meal sale to support open-source Bitcoin development.
While the $10 million investment may seem modest compared to the Bitcoin holdings of larger publicly traded corporations—such as Strategy, which possesses over 687,410 BTC valued at approximately $65.5 billion— it reflects a growing trend of corporate accumulation of cryptocurrencies.
Currently, Steak ‘n Shake stands out as one of the few major fast food establishments in the U.S. to accept Bitcoin. Chipotle made a similar move by accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies via Flexa in 2022, highlighting a slow but steady trend among fast-food chains to embrace digital currencies.
