Steak 'n Shake had a significant increase in sales last quarter, and the company attributes the success to Bitcoin. The firm started accepting payments in BTC in stores across several countries and is interested in more updates.
In comparison, other fast food chains like McDonald's, Domino's, and Taco Bell recorded slow or negative growth. It is difficult to assert whether Bitcoin is the main reason, but the company plans to continue its Web3 strategy regardless.
Did Bitcoin boost Steak 'n Shake?
Many companies around the world have been buying Bitcoin, but its use as real currency seems to be a forgotten trend in 2025.
Currently, it seems that new companies are accepting BTC only for marketing strategies, but that is not the whole story. Steak 'n Shake, an American burger chain, credits Bitcoin payments for its successful performance in the second quarter:
In the second quarter of 2025, Steak n Shake’s same-store sales increased by 10.7%.
Bitcoin has been a game changer.
Thank you Bitcoiners
Bitcoin, Burgers & Beyond
— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) August 8, 2025
Steak 'n Shake began accepting Bitcoin payments in mid-May, and the company is exploring Lightning payments to facilitate these transactions. Store sales increased by 10.7% in the second quarter of 2025, while several of its largest competitors experienced declines. This includes chains like McDonald's, Domino's, and Taco Bell, all of which have slow growth or sharp decline.
BTC has been a valuable investment recently, especially with the recent market optimism.
For Steak 'n Shake, there is a clear argument as to why Bitcoin improved its performance: it can make sales more efficient, attract a new audience, etc. However, the reality may be a bit more complex.
For example, Steak 'n Shake only began accepting payments in Bitcoin around the middle of the second quarter of 2025. Other business developments, however, occurred well before that.
In March, the chain adopted the Trump administration, frying food in beef tallow to align with RFK Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.
Marketing Campaign with Beef Tallow from Steak 'n Shake. Source: Philip Kuhns
Furthermore, McDonald's faced revenue declines in 2025 due to international boycotts. The relative performance of the company may be due to setbacks from competitors rather than the advantages of Bitcoin. The fast food market is complex, largely unrelated to crypto, and it's hard to be sure either way.
For now, the main conclusion is simple. Steak 'n Shake is crediting Bitcoin for its successes, not these alternative hypotheses. This seems to suggest that the company will continue to explore crypto, which seems promising for our particular sector.
The article Bitcoin helps fast food chain outperform McDonald's and Domino's was first seen on BeInCrypto Brazil.
