Steak ’n Shake Adds $5M Bitcoin to Strengthen Strategic Reserve and Growth

Highlights:

• Steak ’n Shake boosts its Bitcoin reserve with a new $5 million purchase.
• All customer Bitcoin payments feed directly into the company’s growing reserve.
• Steak ’n Shake earns Bitcoin bonuses, and the chain highlights Bitcoin in marketing, too.

Steak ’n Shake has taken another step in its treasury plan. The company added $5 million worth of Bitcoin to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. It says this move is part of its “burger to Bitcoin transformation,” which links restaurant growth with digital currency use.

Steak ’n Shake Grows Bitcoin Reserve Through Sales and Payments

In January 2026, the company had already added $10 million to its reserve. This marks the second expansion in the same month. All Bitcoin payments from customers go directly into the reserve. This creates a self sustaining system that supports operations and grows holdings. “Our self-sustaining system — improving food quality that grows same-store sales that then grow the SBR — is transforming the chain via financial technology,” the company wrote in a post on X.

Steak n Shake's Burger-to-Bitcoin transformation continues.

Today we increased our Bitcoin exposure by $5,000,000 in notional value.

All Bitcoin sales go into our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Our self-sustaining system — improving food quality that grows same-store sales that…

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) January 27, 2026

The chain started accepting Bitcoin payments in U.S. stores in May last year using the Lightning Network. The goal was to reduce costs and attract younger customers who use cryptocurrency. The company said it saved nearly 50% on processing fees compared with card payments.

After this change, same store sales increased by more than 10% in the second quarter of 2025. The company said the Bitcoin community supported the move and helped drive sales. Sales kept growing in stores and later showed an 18% increase. This shows that using digital currency is helping bring more customers and improve overall business performance.

Steak ’n Shake Expands Bitcoin to Employees and Marketing

Beyond payments, Steak ’n Shake has also added Bitcoin to employee pay. Earlier this month, the company launched a “Bitcoin bonus” for hourly workers. Employees receive $0.21 per hour in BTC through Fold. A full-time worker can earn about $436 per year in Bitcoin at current rates. The bonus vests over two years.

The company has also pushed Bitcoin in its marketing. It launched a Bitcoin steakburger and linked rewards to menu items. The chain openly rejected other cryptocurrencies after pushback from Bitcoin supporters. Last fall, the company ran a poll on X asking if Ethereum should be added as a payment option. About 49,000 people voted, and 53% supported the idea. Four hours later, the poll was suspended. The company then said its support remains with Bitcoin users.

Bitcoiner and financial accountant Rajat Soni said more companies should follow Steak ’n Shake’s example. He said this approach makes it easier for businesses to succeed because Bitcoin acts as a financial backstop. Many companies fail because they cannot stay in the market long enough. He added that Bitcoin helps extend a company’s financial endurance.

More companies need to do this

If they do this, they will find it much easier to succeed because their Bitcoin is like a backstop

I think most businesses fail because they aren't in the market long enough

Bitcoin extends your financial endurance

— Rajat Soni, CFA (@Rajatsoni) January 17, 2026

Company Holds Strong on Bitcoin as Market Remains Volatile

Even as the company expands its Bitcoin exposure, views among Bitcoin users remain mixed. Bitcoin has mostly moved sideways around $90,000. This is far below earlier expectations from figures like Arthur Hayes and Tom Lee, who had predicted prices near $250,000.

At the time of publication, Bitcoin trades at $89,141. It has not crossed $100,000 since November 13, 2025, based on CoinMarketCap data. Still, Steak ’n Shake continues to follow its Bitcoin-focused strategy and ties it closely to restaurant growth. This approach stands out in the restaurant industry.