Burger Chain Reports Revenue Surge Following Bitcoin Strategy Adoption

Steak ‘n Shake reports sales surge after adopting Bitcoin payments.

The burger chain Steak ‘n Shake, with locations in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, has reported a “sharp” increase in sales following the introduction of payments in the leading cryptocurrency.

Nine months ago today, Steak n Shake launched its burger-to-Bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments. Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since.

Bitcoin payments for Steak n Shake burgers go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which then…

— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) February 16, 2026

The company began accepting Bitcoin in May 2025, stating that the asset was made available “to over 100 million visitors.” Since then, Steak ‘n Shake has repeatedly linked sales growth to the adoption of cryptocurrency:

• sales increased by 11% in the second quarter;
• and by 15% in the third quarter.

The chain outpaced major competitors like McDonald’s, Domino’s, and Taco Bell in terms of growth.

Under the programme, all received coins are allocated to the company’s strategic Bitcoin reserve, which grows as consumer spending increases.

In January, Steak ‘n Shake announced that the value of its cryptocurrency holdings had risen by $10 million.

Eight months ago today, Steak n Shake launched its burger-to-Bitcoin transformation when we started accepting bitcoin payments. Our same-store sales have risen dramatically ever since.

All Bitcoin sales go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Today we increased our Bitcoin…

— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 17, 2026

Later, the chain also announced an additional $5 million investment in the reserve. According to BitcoinTreasuries, the company currently manages 161.6 BTC valued at $10.9 million.

Bitcoin Bonuses for Employees

Last month, Steak ‘n Shake also announced plans to pay hourly employees bonuses in Bitcoin at a rate of $0.21 per hour worked, with a two-year vesting period.

Starting March 1, Steak n Shake will give all hourly employees at its company-operated restaurants a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked.

Employees will be able to collect their Bitcoin pay after a two-year vesting period. Thank you, @Fold_app, for the assist.

We…

— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 20, 2026

The programme is implemented with the support of Fold, a company specialising in Bitcoin rewards and payments, and will commence on March 1.

At a rate of $0.21 per hour, a full-time employee (working 40 hours a week) would earn approximately $8.40 in BTC per week, or about $437 annually (based on a standard 52-week schedule).

In October, the retail chain Bealls implemented the Flexa Payments system and began accepting Bitcoin in 660 stores.