The fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake has officially introduced a limited-edition “Bitcoin Steakburger” featuring BTC-branded buns, marking a significant milestone in its journey of accepting Bitcoin payments. This launch celebrates the five-month anniversary of Steak ‘n Shake’s adoption of Bitcoin payments initiated in May.
This move came after months of anticipation, with Steak ‘n Shake integrating Bitcoin payments through the Lightning Network. The company’s operations chief, Dan Edwards, shared insights during the Bitcoin 2025 conference, noting that accepting Bitcoin has led to approximately 50% savings in processing fees while expediting transaction times. Edwards emphasized that the shift is beneficial for customers and merchants alike, stating, “Bitcoin is a win for the customer, it’s a win for us as the merchant, and it’s a win for you in the Bitcoin community.”
Since implementing Bitcoin payments, the company has reported impressive growth, with same-store sales increasing by 10.7% in the second quarter and 15% in the third quarter. Remarkably, these figures outpaced those of other fast food chains in the same period.
The endorsement from influential figures, notably Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has further bolstered Steak ‘n Shake’s connection to the cryptocurrency community. Dorsey demonstrated his support by sharing a $100 Bitcoin transaction he made at Steak ‘n Shake in June, highlighting the growing integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream commerce.
Despite the positive impact, Steak ‘n Shake’s relationship with the cryptocurrency community has faced challenges. Recently, a proposal to expand its payment options to include Ethereum sparked backlash among Bitcoin enthusiasts. The company conducted a poll on Twitter asking customers if they should accept ETH, but after backlash from Bitcoin supporters, they decided to halt the poll. Interestingly, 53% of nearly 49,000 respondents had expressed interest in accepting Ethereum, demonstrating a divide within the community regarding multichain support.
Steak ‘n Shake’s innovative approach signifies a notable trend in the fast food industry, blending traditional dining experiences with modern payment technologies, while also navigating the complex dynamics of the cryptocurrency landscape.
