The American fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake has announced a $10 million Bitcoin purchase for its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, deepening its integration with cryptocurrency. The announcement was made on Saturday via the company's official X account, marking eight months since it began accepting Bitcoin payments in its U.S. restaurants.
The rollout began in May 2025, and the company reports significant improvements in same-store sales attributed to the Bitcoin initiative. "Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since," the company stated. All Bitcoin payments received are funneled directly into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, with this latest purchase increasing exposure by "$10,000,000 in notional value." The company did not disclose the timing or execution details of the acquisition.
Steak 'n Shake claims to be the first major restaurant to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. At the Bitcoin 2025 conference, Chief Operations Officer Dan Edwards highlighted the financial benefits, noting that Bitcoin payments cut processing costs by 50% compared to fiat methods while increasing transaction speeds. "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," Edwards said.
The company's policy is to retain all Bitcoin payments in digital currency form instead of converting to dollars, directly feeding the reserve. The firm reported a 10.7% sales increase in Q2 2025, followed by a 15% increase in Q3. Edwards noted that its third-quarter performance exceeded competitors like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Starbucks.
Steak 'n Shake has woven Bitcoin into its menu through the Bitcoin Burger (featuring a bun stamped with the Bitcoin logo) and a Bitcoin Meal program. The program includes charitable donations, with the company pledging to donate 210 satoshis from every Bitcoin Meal sold to the Open Sats Initiative over 12 months. Customers who purchase and register a Bitcoin Steakburger or Meal can also receive $5 in Bitcoin through the Fold app.
In November 2025, the chain expanded operations to El Salvador, participating in the country's Bitcoin Histórico event. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey publicly supported the initiative, sharing images in June showing he spent $100 in Bitcoin for meals at the restaurant.
