At the Bitcoin 2026 Conference in Las Vegas, Michael Boes, the Chief MAHA Officer of Steak ‘n Shake, shared how Bitcoin has become a pivotal element in enhancing the chain’s business performance. He highlighted that this shift has attracted 2 million new customers and led to significant cost savings alongside a comprehensive menu revamp linked directly to Bitcoin transactions.
Boes detailed that Steak ‘n Shake initiated its Bitcoin payment system on May 16, 2025, utilizing the Lightning Network. The positive outcomes were swift; same-store sales surged by 11% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 of 2025 and further accelerated to an impressive growth rate of 15% in Q3. This remarkable performance surpassed major competitors such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Domino’s.
He emphasized that this achievement represents the highest same-store sales growth within the restaurant sector.
JUST IN: Fast food giant Steak ‘n Shake announces “when we use bitcoin, we save 50% on processing fees vs a traditional credit card user.”
“If every credit card user used bitcoin, we would save roughly $6 million annually. Which is huge”
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— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) April 29, 2026
According to Boes’ analysis of financial benefits associated with Bitcoin usage is clear-cut. By opting for payments via Bitcoin instead of traditional credit cards, Steak ‘n Shake can reduce processing fees by approximately half. Conventional credit card processors typically impose charges ranging from about 2.5% to over 3.5% per transaction.
“We’re embracing bitcoin – it represents the future of currency,” stated Boes confidently.
Steak ‘n Shake: Enhancing Food Quality Through Bitcoin
Boes mentioned that if all credit card users transitioned to using Bitcoin for their purchases at Steak ‘n Shake locations, it could lead to annual savings close to $6 million — funds earmarked specifically for improving food quality.
“Bitcoin is authentic money generated through genuine energy,” he remarked during his presentation. “It serves as a healthier currency enabling us to produce healthier offerings.”
The enhancements are already being implemented; for instance, Steak ‘n Shake has eliminated microwaves from its kitchens and plans a complete switch over to grass-fed beef across all outlets starting June first.
The company also made strides towards health-conscious cooking by replacing seed oils with beef tallow when frying their french fries as part of their commitment aligned with the Make America Healthy Again initiative.
Diving deeper into innovation at Wednesday’s conference announcement were two new menu items inspired by cryptocurrency culture: a “Bitcoin Milkshake” and “Bitcoin Steakburger,” both reflecting upon BTC’s capped supply limit set at just under twenty-one million coins.
This post titled “Steak ‘n Shake Claims That Utilizing Cryptocurrency Payments Reduces Processing Costs By Half And Saves $6 Million Annually,” originally appeared on *Bitcoin Magazine* authored by Micah Zimmerman.
FAQ:
- What benefits does Steak ‘n Shake see from accepting Bitcoin?
They experience reduced processing fees (up to fifty percent), increased customer engagement (two million new customers), and enhanced food quality due directly towards savings gained through cryptocurrency transactions. - How much does switching from credit cards potentially save?
Switching entirely could yield around six million dollars annually which will be allocated toward upgrading product offerings. - Please explain what makes steak n shake’s approach unique?
They have created an integrated closed-loop economy centered around cryptocurrency payments while simultaneously introducing innovative menu items tied closely with blockchain technology concepts. - Aren’t there risks involved when adopting cryptocurrencies like BTC?
Yes; however they view these challenges as opportunities leading forward rather than hindrances stifling progress within modern finance systems!