Steak 'n Shake Boosts Sales with Bitcoin Payments, Drives Crypto Adoption in Fast-Food Industry

February 17, 2026
Steak 'n Shake Boosts Sales with Bitcoin Payments, Drives Crypto Adoption in Fast-Food Industry
  • Bitcoin price volatility remains a concern, with stablecoins seen as a useful hedge while regulatory scrutiny and ongoing adoption shape outcomes.

  • Earlier in 2026, the company added about $10 million worth of Bitcoin to its corporate treasury, reinforcing a self-sustaining cycle of crypto revenue and growth.

  • Key strategic takeaways for other businesses include cutting fees with crypto, attracting new customers, offering crypto-based staff bonuses, and building a crypto treasury for long-term gains.

  • Bitcoin adoption is placed within the fast-food sector’s payment evolution, noting expanding crypto use beyond early adopters and the role of stablecoins in reducing volatility.

  • Steak ’n Shake began accepting Bitcoin payments in May 2025, kicking off a Bitcoin-to-revenue transformation that has helped drive sales growth and expanded the company’s treasury.

  • The broader competitive landscape involves fintechs and traditional payment rails vying for dominance as crypto becomes more embedded in everyday transactions.

  • The move operates under publicly listed Biglari Holdings, with potential additional financial details to surface through regulatory filings and disclosures.

  • Experts caution this is a genuine digital-asset treasury play rather than marketing, though merchant demand for crypto payments remains uncertain without improved payment infrastructure.

  • The strategy is framed as successful in boosting sales but carries an unrealized loss on the BTC treasury and depends on future price movements; detailed figures were not fully disclosed and comments requests went unanswered.

  • Overall, crypto adoption at retail is presented as driving sales and reshaping payment rails and monetization strategies across the ecosystem.

  • Nine months into the program, the chain reports a notable rise in same-store sales attributed to crypto payments, signaling a competitive edge in a crowded fast-food market.

  • Industry observers say card networks, stablecoin issuers, and crypto apps are racing to integrate crypto into mainstream payments, with regulatory clarity potentially accelerating adoption.

Summary based on 5 sources


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