Bitcoin News Today: Steak 'n Shake same-store sales rise 10.7% after Bitcoin adoption cuts fees 50%

Steak ‘n Shake reported a 10.7% quarter-on-quarter increase in same-store sales during the second quarter of 2025, attributing much of its success to the adoption of Bitcoin as a payment method. The fast-food chain began accepting Bitcoin in May 2025 across all locations where legally permitted, including in the U.S., France, Monaco, and Spain. In a public post on X, the company thanked Bitcoin users for supporting its transition to cryptocurrency, saying the move had brought “a game changer” to its business model [1].

The 10.7% sales growth outpaced that of its competitors, many of whom reported declines or smaller increases. For instance, McDonald’s, Domino’s, and Taco Bell all posted same-store sales growth ranging from -7.1% to 6.1% during the same period [2]. The shift to Bitcoin also offered immediate benefits, with the company’s chief operating officer, Dan Edwards, noting that it had cut processing fees by 50% within the first two weeks of implementation. Edwards emphasized that Bitcoin was beneficial not only to the company and its customers but also to the broader Bitcoin community [1].

Steak ‘n Shake’s decision to adopt Bitcoin came after a period of significant store closures. The chain’s U.S. store count has dropped from a high of 628 in 2018 to 397 as of May 28, 2025 [3]. Despite this contraction, the company has expanded its reach through cryptocurrency adoption, making Bitcoin payments available to over 100 million customers across multiple countries. On the day it launched the service, the company accounted for 0.2% of all Bitcoin transactions, according to internal reports [1].

The move reflects a growing trend of businesses exploring alternative payment methods in response to rising transaction costs and shifting consumer preferences. While Bitcoin is often viewed as an investment in the U.S., the company’s experience suggests that it can also serve as a practical tool for everyday commerce. “Bitcoin continues to be ignored… but they won’t be able to ignore it forever,” the company stated, signaling its belief in the cryptocurrency’s potential as a mainstream payment option [1].

Sources:

[1] Steak ‘n Shake (https://cointelegraph.com/news/steak-n-shake-attributes-11-percent-sales-rise-bitcoiners)