Steak ‘n Shake Chief MAHA Officer Michael Boes informed attendees on the Bitcoin 2026 Convention in Las Vegas that Bitcoin has change into a core driver of the chain’s enterprise efficiency, pointing to 2 million new prospects, dramatic value reductions, and a sweeping menu overhaul tied on to financial savings from bitcoin funds.
Boes cited how the chain launched its Bitcoin cost platform on Could 16, 2025, by way of the Lightning Community, and the outcomes got here quick. Identical-store gross sales rose 11% quarter over quarter in Q2 2025 and accelerated to fifteen% in Q3 2025, outpacing main rivals together with McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Domino’s.
He known as it the very best same-store gross sales progress of any restaurant within the trade.
The monetary case for Bitcoin, Boes argued, is easy. When prospects pay with Bitcoin as an alternative of a bank card, Steak ‘n Shake saves roughly 50% on processing charges. Conventional bank card processors cost retailers between 2.5% and three.5% per transaction.
“We’re transferring ahead with bitcoin – the way forward for cash,” Boes stated.
Steak ‘n Shake: bitcoin is making their meals more healthy
Boes stated that if each bank card consumer switched to Bitcoin, the chain would save roughly $6 million yearly — funds he stated go immediately towards upgrading the meals.
“Bitcoin is actual cash made with actual vitality,” Boes informed the viewers. “It’s a wholesome forex that permits us to make a more healthy product.”
These upgrades are already underway. Steak ‘n Shake eliminated microwaves from its kitchens and can transition to 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef throughout all areas beginning June 1.
The corporate beforehand switched from seed oils to beef tallow for frying its french fries as a part of its alignment with the Make America Wholesome Once more motion.
On Wednesday, Boes introduced two new Bitcoin-themed menu gadgets on the convention: a Bitcoin Milkshake and a Bitcoin Steakburger, each tied to Bitcoin’s fastened provide of 21 million cash.
Steak ‘n Shake has additionally constructed a closed-loop Bitcoin financial system round its funds technique. All Bitcoin obtained from prospects goes into the corporate’s strategic Bitcoin reserve, which has grown to $10 million.
That reserve funds a Bitcoin bonus program for hourly staff — $0.21 per hour labored — that launched March 1. Boes confirmed he additionally accepts Bitcoin as a part of his personal compensation.
“I’m one of many first within the trade to simply accept bitcoin as part of my government compensation package deal,” Boes stated. “I hope that can pave a brand new means for fashions of compensation throughout the trade.”
The chain operates a whole bunch of areas throughout the US, France, Italy, Portugal, and Monaco.
