Steak ‘n Shake, a well-known American fast-food chain, has officially announced that it will begin accepting Bitcoin payments at all of its locations across the United States starting on May 16, 2025. This groundbreaking move makes Steak ‘n Shake one of the first large-scale national restaurant chains to adopt cryptocurrency for daily transactions, moving beyond pilot programs or limited locations.
Official Announcement and Community Reaction
The company made the announcement on May 9 through its official X account (formerly known as Twitter), signing off as “Steaktoshi” and declaring, “The movement is just beginning.” The announcement followed months of speculation and social media hints, including a March post asking its followers if it should accept Bitcoin—a post that gained the support of prominent Bitcoin advocate and former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who enthusiastically responded with a “yes.”
Nationwide Rollout and Customer Access
From May 16, all 393 Steak ‘n Shake locations in the United States will allow customers to pay for their popular steakburgers, fries, and milkshakes using Bitcoin. This payment option will be available to over 100 million customers nationwide. Unlike other fast-food chains that have experimented with cryptocurrency on a limited scale, Steak ‘n Shake’s approach is a full-scale commitment, not a beta test or regional pilot.
The Fast-Food Industry and Crypto Payments
While Steak ‘n Shake’s decision is notable for its scope, it aligns with a broader industry trend of experimenting with cryptocurrency payments:
- Chipotle began accepting crypto payments in 2022 via Flexa, supporting nearly 100 cryptocurrencies at select locations.
- Subway has been testing Bitcoin payments in some franchise locations since 2013.
- McDonald’s accepts Bitcoin in Lugano, Switzerland.
- Pizza Hut and Burger King have conducted limited crypto payment trials, particularly in countries like El Salvador where Bitcoin is legal tender.
However, most of these initiatives have been restricted to specific regions or have relied on third-party services that convert cryptocurrency into fiat currency before reaching the merchant.
Technology and Industry Evolution
The Steak ‘n Shake announcement comes as cryptocurrency payment technology continues to advance. Platforms like Mesh have integrated with Apple Pay, making it easier for merchants to accept crypto payments seamlessly. This evolving infrastructure is enabling larger chains to adopt digital currencies more easily.
Bitcoin’s Fast Food Legacy
The connection between Bitcoin and fast food dates back to 2010, when Laszlo Hanyecz famously paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas—a moment now celebrated annually as Bitcoin Pizza Day. Steak ‘n Shake’s nationwide rollout is viewed as a modern extension of this legacy, taking cryptocurrency payments from novelty to mainstream retail.
In conclusion, Steak ‘n Shake’s decision to accept Bitcoin at all of its US locations marks a significant milestone for both the fast-food industry and the cryptocurrency space, signaling the continued growth of digital currency in everyday commerce.
