Steak ‘n Shake Flips the Script: Bitcoin Payments Now Sizzle on the Menu
Fast food meets fast money—Steak ‘n Shake just dropped Bitcoin payments, slashing transaction friction like a hot knife through patty melt.
Why it sizzles: No more waiting on sluggish bank settlements. The chain’s move taps into crypto’s 24/7 rails, turning burger revenue into near-instant treasury fuel. (Take that, legacy ACH delays.)
The fine print: While Wall Street still debates ‘digital gold,’ your double cheeseburger just became a hedge against inflation—or at least a tasty distraction from your portfolio’s rollercoaster ride.
Bottom line: When a milkshake costs 0.00042 BTC, who needs a financial advisor? Just HODL through the ketchup stains.
Exceeded expectations
Edwards revealed that the initial response exceeded expectations. On the first day alone, Steak ‘n Shake accounted for 1 out of every 500 Bitcoin transactions worldwide. He attributed this to strong interest from customers eager to use Bitcoin as a payment method in a real-world retail setting.
The company is already seeing measurable financial benefits from the integration. Edwards said Bitcoin payments have allowed Steak ‘n Shake to reduce its payment processing fees by approximately 50% compared to traditional credit card transactions.
This is due in part to the efficiency of the Lightning Network, which facilitates near-instant settlement with lower transaction costs.
Edwards emphasized that the decision to integrate Bitcoin was a serious and permanent addition to the company’s payment infrastructure. He further clarified that it was not a promotional experiment or limited-time offering, but rather a long-term option that the company now supports alongside traditional fiat methods.
To mark the launch, several locations in Las Vegas introduced special Bitcoin-themed menu items. These include the Bitcoin Burger, Super-Sized Bitcoin Meal, and Bitcoin Milkshake. Edwards also said the company is working on a new “blockchain menu,” though further details were not provided.
Seamless implementation
According to Edwards, the technical implementation was designed to be seamless and accessible for customers.
Since enabling Bitcoin payments, Steak ‘n Shake has observed a sustained increase in transaction activity. Edwards stated that customer behavior shifted quickly following the integration, with many opting to pay in Bitcoin and returning for repeat purchases.
The company has not yet released specific transaction volumes but indicated that the trend has continued beyond the initial launch period.
In addition to payment acceptance, Edwards noted that Steak ‘n Shake is investing in broader digital transformation. He referenced upcoming plans involving autonomous systems, AI, and blockchain-related technology, and confirmed that the company is actively hiring engineers to support these initiatives.
Edwards concluded his remarks by encouraging the audience to recognize Bitcoin’s growing utility in retail and hospitality environments. He framed the rollout as part of Steak ‘n Shake’s continued evolution in response to shifting customer expectations and new technology standards.
