Steak 'n Shake Posts 11% Q2 Sales Growth, Credits Bitcoin Adoption for Success.

Steak 'n Shake's same-store sales increased by 10.7% in Q2, beating competitors like McDonald's and Domino's. The chain credits its decision to accept Bitcoin payments, which started on May 16, 2025, for the rise in sales. Bitcoin transactions made up 0.2% of all Bitcoin activity on the first day, and over 100 million clients can now use Bitcoin payments. Bitcoin adoption has made operations more efficient and increased sales, cutting processing fees in half. The success of Steak 'n Shake shows that Bitcoin could be a good way to pay for things in the U.S. fast-food industry, potentially changing the way customers pay and making cryptocurrencies more common in regular transactions.

US fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake has reported a significant 10.7% same-store sales increase in the second quarter of 2025, outpacing major competitors such as McDonald's and Domino's. The company attributes this surge to its decision to accept Bitcoin payments, which began on May 16, 2025 [1][2][3].

Steak 'n Shake's Bitcoin rollout has been met with immediate success. On its first day of accepting Bitcoin, the chain accounted for 0.2% of all Bitcoin transactions globally, indicating strong initial interest from users [3]. The move has also opened cryptocurrency payments to more than 100 million customers across its domestic and international footprint [1][2].

The adoption of Bitcoin has not only driven sales but also improved operational efficiency. Dan Edwards, Steak 'n Shake's chief operating officer, revealed at the Bitcoin 2025 conference that the chain's transaction processing fees were cut by 50% within two weeks of launching Bitcoin payments [1][3]. This cost-saving benefit extends to both the company and its customers, positioning Bitcoin as a "win for everyone involved" [1].

Steak 'n Shake's success with Bitcoin adoption suggests that digital currencies could play a more significant role in the US fast-food industry. While Bitcoin is primarily used as an investment in the US, the chain's results indicate untapped potential for cryptocurrencies as a retail payment method [1][2]. This trend could potentially normalize the use of digital assets in everyday transactions, pushing other fast-food operators to reconsider their stance on Bitcoin acceptance [2].

Despite these gains, Steak 'n Shake faces the challenge of maintaining momentum in a competitive landscape dominated by brands with larger footprints and deeper marketing budgets. The company's future growth will depend on its ability to translate short-term buzz from Bitcoin adoption into sustained sales growth [2].

References:
[1] https://cointelegraph.com/news/steak-n-shake-attributes-11-percent-sales-rise-bitcoiners
[2] https://invezz.com/news/2025/08/12/how-bitcoin-helped-steak-n-shake-beat-mcdonalds-and-dominos-in-sales/
[3] https://thecoinrise.com/steak-n-shake-credits-bitcoin-for-record-sales-surge-details/