Steak 'n Shake Redefines Itself as a 'Bitcoin Company' Amid Sales Growth

Steak 'n Shake, a burger chain founded in 1934, has redefined itself as a 'Bitcoin company' after seeing significant growth in sales and cost savings since introducing bitcoin payments. The company credits its strong same-store sales growth to the support of bitcoin users, who have helped Steak 'n Shake produce the best sales results in the fast food industry.

The parent company, Biglari Holdings Inc., reported a 13.8% increase in same-store sales for domestic company-operated and franchise-partner-operated restaurants in the second quarter of 2026. This growth is attributed to the increased business and savings from bitcoin payments, which have allowed Steak 'n Shake to reinvest in food quality.

The chain's strategy extends beyond just accepting bitcoin at checkout. Instead, customer payments are routed into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, rather than being cashed out. Additionally, hourly employees earn a bitcoin bonus of 21 cents for every hour worked, payable after a two-year vesting period.