- Steak ’n Shake raised its Bitcoin exposure to $15 million with a fresh $5 million allocation.
- All Bitcoin payments route directly into a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve tied to store sales.
- The chain now pays hourly staff a $0.21 per hour Bitcoin bonus with a two-year vesting schedule.
Steak ’n Shake added $5 million of Bitcoin to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and now holds a total of $15 million. The prior $10 million increase was disclosed on Jan. 18.
At the time of publication, the position equals about 167.7 BTC. The company did not break out how much of the balance comes from price moves, customer payments, or direct treasury buys.
Management said that the move is part of a long-term balance sheet plan that routes all Bitcoin-denominated sales straight into the reserve. The company calls this the core of its burger-to-Bitcoin plan.
Payments Stack, Fees, and Sales Impact
Bitcoin payments went live across US locations in May 2025 via the Lightning Network. The company says this cut payment fees by about 50% versus card rails. Bitcoin tips also appear at the point of sale.
Results followed as same-store sales rose 10% in Q2 2025. For company-owned and franchise locations combined, same-store sales are up 18% so far in 2026. All Bitcoin sales flow into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
The company said that higher food quality lifts same-store sales, which then expands the reserve. Management describes the loop as self-funding and tied to day-to-day operations rather than passive holding.
It is important to note that Steak ’n Shake extended Bitcoin use to payroll incentives. Hourly staff at company-operated stores receive a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 per hour.
The bonus vests over two years and starts on March 1. A full-time worker can earn about $436 per year in Bitcoin. Payouts run through infrastructure provider Fold.
Restaurant Adoption
Crypto use in restaurants continues to widen. As of 2025, about 28% of US adults, or nearly 65 million people, owned crypto. Another 14% said that they planned to buy within a year. Meanwhile, global holders exceed 500 million.
Moreover, Starbucks allows Bitcoin conversion to app balances through Bakkt. FAT Brands accepts Bitcoin for franchise royalty payments. Burger King and Subway franchisees have tested crypto in select markets. KFC pilots token-based loyalty systems outside the US.
Also, Tahini’s Restaurants in Canada integrated Bitcoin into its treasury in 2020, and Bitcoin now makes up over 70% of reserves. The chain expanded to 62 locations.
Related: Despite National Ban, China Close to Overtaking US in Bitcoin Reserves
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Source: https://coinedition.com/steak-n-shake-raises-bitcoin-holdings-to-15m-as-sales-and-payments-converge/
