tl;dr
Steak ‘n Shake saw a 10.7% increase in Q2 2025 in-store sales, crediting its adoption of Bitcoin payments starting mid-May. The chain plans to add Lightning payments to improve transactions, distinguishing itself from competitors like McDonald’s, Domino’s, and Taco Bell, which faced slow growth or d...
Steak ‘n Shake experienced a significant 10.7% increase in in-store sales during Q2 2025, attributing this success to its adoption of Bitcoin payments. The American burger chain began accepting BTC in mid-May across multiple countries and is looking into integrating Lightning payments to streamline transactions further. This move sets it apart from major competitors like McDonald’s, Domino’s, and Taco Bell, who reported slow growth or declines over the same period.
While the use of Bitcoin as an actual currency has somewhat faded in mainstream adoption by 2025, Steak ‘n Shake’s strategy highlights a noteworthy exception. By embracing crypto, the company aims to boost sales efficiency and attract new customer segments. However, the timing of the Bitcoin rollout suggests it may not be the sole driver of growth; other business decisions, such as adopting beef tallow cooking methods aligned with RFK Jr’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign back in March, also played a role.
Meanwhile, competitor struggles, including international boycotts affecting McDonald’s revenues, add another layer of complexity to the fast food market landscape. Overall, the interplay between Bitcoin acceptance and other strategic moves makes it difficult to isolate the exact impact of crypto on Steak ‘n Shake’s success. Nonetheless, the firm’s commitment to expanding its Web3 initiatives signals bullish sentiment for the cryptocurrency industry, reinforcing the growing trend of integrating digital currencies into traditional retail sectors.