Fast Food Chain Steak ‘n Shake has expanded its payment options to include Bitcoin (BTC) in all locations where regulations are permitted.
The rollout, which began on May 16th, utilizes the Lightning network to enable faster, lower cost transactions.
The company’s COO Dan Edwards revealed the development at the Bitcoin 2025 conference held in Las Vegas on May 27th. This began on the same day and included keynote speeches by Senator Cynthia Ramis and an advisory adviser to executive director of digital assets, Beau Hines.
I exceeded my expectations
Edwards revealed that the initial response exceeded expectations. On the first day alone, Steak’N Shake accounts for one of 500 Bitcoin transactions worldwide. He attributed this to the strong interest from customers who are keen to use Bitcoin as a payment method in real retail environments.
The company already sees measurable financial gains from the integration. Edwards said Bitcoin payments allow Steak’n Shake to reduce payment processing fees by about 50% compared to traditional credit card transactions.
This is partly due to the efficiency of the lightning network, which makes it easier to settle myopia with lower transaction costs.
Edwards emphasized that the decision to integrate Bitcoin is a serious and permanent addition to the company’s payment infrastructure. He further revealed that it is not a promotional experiment or limited time offer, but a long-term option the company currently supports along with traditional Fiat methods.
To mark the launch, we introduced special Bitcoin-themed menu items at several locations in Las Vegas. These include Bitcoin Burgers, Super Size Bitcoin Meals and Bitcoin Milkshakes. Edwards also said the company is working on a new “blockchain menu” but has not provided any details.
Seamless implementation
According to Edwards, the technical implementation is designed to provide seamless access to customers.
Since enabling Bitcoin payments, Steak’n Shake has observed a sustained increase in transactional activity. Edwards said that after the consolidation, customer behavior shifted quickly, with many choosing to pay with Bitcoin and returning for repeated purchases.
The company has not yet released any specific transaction volumes, but it has shown that this trend continues beyond its initial launch period.
In addition to accepting payments, Edwards noted that Steak ‘n Shake is investing in a broader digital transformation. He referenced future plans that include autonomous systems, AI and blockchain-related technologies, and confirmed that he was actively hiring engineers to support these initiatives.
Edwards concluded his remarks by encouraging audiences to recognize Bitcoin’s growing utility in retail and hospitality environments. He framed out the deployment as part of the continuous evolution of Steak’n Shake in response to customer expectations and changes in new technical standards.
