- Steak ’n Shake reported a 15% rise in same-store sales in October after launching Bitcoin payments.
- The company built a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve funded by customer payments and purchases.
- It also introduced Bitcoin bonuses for employees and crypto-based promotions.
US burger chain Steak ‘n Shake said its same-store sales rose sharply after it began accepting Bitcoin payments nine months ago. The company launched the payment option in May 2025 and said store performance improved soon after.
By October, same-store sales had risen 15% following the rollout. The chain later reported 18% growth at existing locations in 2026, extending the double-digit gains first seen after introducing crypto payments.
Transaction costs also dropped. The company said it saved nearly half of its usual processing fees within two weeks of accepting Bitcoin, compared with standard credit card charges that reduce restaurant margins.
The strategy aims to attract crypto users and increase customer loyalty. The company said the move created a system where Bitcoin payments drive business growth while lowering operating costs.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and Treasury Model
All Bitcoin payments from customers go into what the company calls a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. The fund holds roughly 161.55 Bitcoin worth about $11 million.
The company built the reserve through direct purchases and customer payments. It bought $10 million worth of Bitcoin on Jan. 16, and purchased $5 million more on Jan. 27.
The reserve funds employee bonuses are paid in Bitcoin. The company described the model as a decentralized, cash-producing operating system that links sales, digital assets, and worker incentives.
The restaurant chain also ran promotions such as the “Bitcoin Burger,” which rewarded customers with small Bitcoin amounts. For each “Bitcoin Meal” sold, the company donated 210 satoshis to support open-source Bitcoin software development.
Steak ’n Shake became the first major US restaurant chain to create a dedicated Bitcoin reserve in October 2025. Its parent company, Biglari Holdings, has not confirmed whether Bitcoin adoption will expand to other business units.
Employee Bonuses and Customer Incentives
The company introduced Bitcoin bonus pay for hourly workers at company-owned stores. Starting March 1, employees will earn about $0.21 worth of Bitcoin per hour worked, with a two-year vesting period.
A worker putting in 40 hours per week could earn about $436.80 in Bitcoin annually, though the value depends on the market price when the bonus unlocks. The program drew criticism because franchise employees are excluded, and workers cannot access the funds immediately.
Steak ’n Shake said the bonus system supports service quality. The company’s model links employee incentives with customer demand. The company partnered with Fold to manage employee Bitcoin payments.
Related: Steak ’n Shake Raises Bitcoin Holdings to $15M as Sales and Payments Converge
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