Steak ’n Shake, the 91-year-old American burger chain, has taken its first public step into corporate Bitcoin ownership, announcing a $10 million purchase of the cryptocurrency for its treasury.
Key Takeaways:
- Steak ’n Shake made its first $10M Bitcoin treasury purchase after adopting crypto payments.
- All customer-paid Bitcoin now flows into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve tied to sales growth.
- The move reflects a consumer-driven Bitcoin strategy, not a balance-sheet accumulation play.
The acquisition, equal to roughly 105 BTC at current market prices, marks the company’s first disclosed direct allocation since it began accepting crypto payments in May 2025.
Steak ’n Shake Formalizes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Tied to Sales Growth
The move formalizes what the restaurant chain calls a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve,” a system that channels all Bitcoin received from customers directly into its treasury rather than converting it into cash.
In a post on X, Steak ‘n Shake said the approach ties rising same-store sales to long-term reserve growth, creating what it described as a self-sustaining model.
Steak ’n Shake enabled Lightning Network payments across all US locations in mid-May, a rollout publicly backed by Jack Dorsey.
The company reported transaction fee savings of nearly 50% compared with credit cards, alongside a roughly 15% increase in same-store sales in the months following the launch.
The treasury strategy was formalized on Oct. 31 through a partnership with Fold Holdings, which offered customers $5 worth of Bitcoin when purchasing branded menu items such as the “Bitcoin Burger.”
As part of the rollout, Steak ‘n Shake will donate 210 satoshis for every “Bitcoin Meal” sold, with funds directed to OpenSats to support Bitcoin Core and open-source development.
The promotion tied consumer incentives directly to crypto adoption rather than speculative investment.
Steak ’n Shake is owned by Biglari Holdings, led by Sardar Biglari. The parent company has not said whether Bitcoin will play a role in its broader balance-sheet strategy.
The restaurant’s approach stands apart from capital-market-driven plays popularized by firms such as Strategy, which raise funds to accumulate Bitcoin.
While more than 200 companies now hold Bitcoin, Steak ’n Shake’s $10 million position remains small, signaling a cautious but notable entry from a legacy consumer brand.
Steak ’n Shake Expands to El Salvador
In November last year, Steak ‘n Shake revealed that it is expanding into El Salvador, marking a symbolic move into the world’s first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender.
The announcement followed the chain’s participation in the Bitcoin Histórico event in San Salvador, where the company signaled deeper engagement with the country’s crypto-centered economy.
The company briefly faced backlash in October after floating the idea of accepting Ether payments, prompting sharp criticism from Bitcoin-focused customers.
Steak ’n Shake quickly reversed course and reaffirmed its commitment to Bitcoin, a stance that appeared to resonate with its core audience as sales momentum continued into the second half of the year.
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