Steak ‘n Shake Adds $10 Million in Bitcoin to Strategic Reserve

Highlights:

• Steak ‘n Shake invests $10 million in Bitcoin, strengthening digital currency ties.
• The company reports rising sales and faster checkouts since adopting Bitcoin payments nationwide.
• Payments via the Lightning Network improved checkout speed and boosted overall customer experience.

The American fast food brand Steak ‘n Shake has added $10 million worth of Bitcoin to a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The purchase signals a deeper financial connection with digital currency, following months of testing Bitcoin payments within the United States.

Steak ‘n Shake Expands Digital Currency Reserve

The announcement came on Saturday through an official X post. It mentioned that Bitcoin payments started about eight months ago. Since then, same-store sales have reportedly increased a lot. It was also noted that all Bitcoin received from customers is moved into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. A recent addition was said to add about $10,000,000 in notional value to the holdings. 

“We have created a self-sustaining system — growing same-store sales that grow the SBR. Improving food quality expands Steak n Shake’s reach and leverages Bitcoin into a new and delicious dimension,” the company said.

The company did not provide details about the timing or price of the purchase. It has become the first large restaurant chain to build a Bitcoin reserve. The company did not disclose whether it purchased the Bitcoin in a single trade or through multiple smaller purchases.

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.

All Bitcoin sales go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Today we increased our Bitcoin…

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 17, 2026

Steak ‘n Shake Sees Growth with Bitcoin Payments and Charity Program

Last May, the American fast food chain rolled out Bitcoin payments across all US stores using the Lightning Network. After introducing this option, sales started moving higher. The company reported a 15% month over month increase in growth during the fourth quarter of 2025.

Steak n Shake accepting Bitcoin payments at all locations starting May 16, making the cryptocurrency available to our more than 100 million customers. The movement is just beginning….

—Steaktoshi pic.twitter.com/1SGMifDZep

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) May 9, 2025

Public interest grew during the summer. Jack Dorsey shared photos in June showing a $100 Bitcoin meal at Steak ‘n Shake. These posts drew more attention online. The company expanded Bitcoin branding on the menu. It introduced a Bitcoin Burger with a logo stamped on the bun. It also launched a Bitcoin Meal program to support rewards and charity.

In October, the company announced a donation plan. It pledged 210 satoshis from each Bitcoin Meal to Open Sats Initiative Inc for 12 months. It did not share a final donation amount.

Steak n Shake is announcing the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. All payments received in Bitcoin will be placed in our SBR.

We are donating 210 sats from every Bitcoin meal we sell to Open Sats Initiative, Inc. over the next 12 months.

Make your Bitcoin…

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) October 31, 2025

Global Brands Push Bitcoin Payments Forward

Many businesses have tested Bitcoin as a payment option, but only a small number have expanded it across the whole country. Steak ‘n Shake is seen as one of the few that has taken this step on a large scale. The move toward Bitcoin payments is also being noticed in other parts of the world.

A SPAR supermarket in Zug, Switzerland, has been allowing Bitcoin payments since early last year. In a similar way, Emirates is expected to introduce Bitcoin and other crypto payments for tickets and services sometime this year. Bitcoin pricing stood at $95,406.41 at the time of reporting, showing a 0.29% change during the past 24 hours.