Steak ‘n Shake Rolls Out Bitcoin Payments Across All U.S. Locations

Steak ‘n Shake has made a significant move in the cryptocurrency space by rolling out Bitcoin payments at all its U.S. locations starting May 16. This initiative reaches over 100 million customers and marks a major leap in mainstream crypto adoption within the global fast food industry. The company plans to expand Bitcoin payments internationally, with localized rollouts announced country by country.

This integration of Bitcoin payments at all Steak ‘n Shake locations is a bold step forward for both the company and the broader crypto industry. The initiative was announced via X (formerly Twitter) under the pseudonym “Steaktoshi,” framing it as the start of a much larger movement toward decentralized payments. Dan Edwards, Chief Operations Officer of Steak ‘n Shake, stated, “Our goal is to utilize Bitcoin at all locations, including all international units.” With over 100 million annual customers, Steak ‘n Shake becomes one of the largest fast food chains globally to implement full-scale Bitcoin payments, bypassing limited pilots or region-specific trials.

The first hint of crypto adoption came in March when the company posted a question on social media: “Should Steak ‘n Shake accept Bitcoin?” The enthusiastic reactions from the Bitcoin community, including a significant “yes” from Jack Dorsey, former Twitter CEO and vocal crypto supporter, helped the message go viral. Since then, the chain has embraced crypto culture, enticing fans with Bitcoin-themed images and marketing tie-ins alluding to Tesla and Bitcoin. The marketing efforts successfully built anticipation for a crypto payment option.

Steak ‘n Shake now joins a growing list of fast food brands exploring cryptocurrency as a payment method. Chipotle has accepted Bitcoin and nearly 100 other cryptocurrencies since 2022 through its Flexa integration. Subway was one of the first to pilot Bitcoin payments as early as 2013. McDonald’s in Lugano, Switzerland, began accepting BTC under the local “Plan B” crypto initiative. Pizza Hut embraced Bitcoin in El Salvador, where BTC is legal tender. Burger King accepted crypto in Germany, Venezuela, and the Netherlands—ranging from direct payments to gift cards. What sets Steak ‘n Shake apart is the scale and speed of its implementation. This is not a test; the crypto option will be available at every U.S. location simultaneously, with global expansion soon to follow.

This development is more than a marketing gimmick. It reflects growing consumer demand for alternative payment options and a shift in perception toward digital assets. Practical, daily use cases—such as purchasing a steakburger using Bitcoin—signal a way toward normality in a world where volatility and regulation frequently dominate headlines. Furthermore, it fits a larger retail trend: young, tech-savvy customers are increasingly selecting companies that use Web3 technologies. This move by Steak ‘n Shake could drive other major chains to adopt Bitcoin, potentially leading to its next chapter as a viable medium of exchange, not just a store of value.