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Steak ‘n Shake is unleashing bitcoin payments across all locations, unlocking crypto access for over 100 million customers and revolutionizing fast-food transactions forever.
Steak ‘n Shake’s Massive Bitcoin Integration Starts Next Week
Steak ‘n Shake announced on May 8 on social media platform X that it will begin accepting bitcoin as a form of payment at all of its restaurants in the United States starting May 16. The decision signals the company’s entrance into the digital payments landscape, with the chain preparing to modernize its point-of-sale systems to accommodate decentralized currency. The company stated:
Steak n Shake accepting bitcoin payments at all locations starting May 16, making the cryptocurrency available to our more than 100 million customers. The movement is just beginning…
As of March 26, 2025, there are 393 Steak ‘n Shake restaurants operating across the country, according to data from Scapehero. These locations span 23 states and territories and are situated in 295 cities. Florida leads in store count, hosting 79 restaurants—approximately 20% of all U.S. locations. A distribution map shows that the highest concentrations are in the Midwest and Southeast, while other regions, including the West, feature fewer locations.
Steak ‘n Shake’s embrace of bitcoin was preceded by several teaser posts. On March 4, the company responded to a question on X about bitcoin adoption with: “HODL your bitcoin, eat the fries!” Three days later, it asked followers: “Should Steak n Shake accept bitcoin?” These remarks stirred anticipation within the crypto community, eventually culminating in this week’s formal announcement.
This step toward bitcoin integration comes as digital assets continue to gain institutional and political traction. President Donald Trump has emphasized pro-bitcoin policies, while the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appears more open to crypto innovation. Arizona and New Hampshire have enacted legislation recognizing bitcoin as a reserve asset. While concerns around volatility remain, crypto advocates see moves like Steak ‘n Shake’s as a pivotal shift toward normalization of digital currency in everyday commerce.