American fast-food chain Steak ‘n Shake has unveiled its latest innovation, the Bitcoin Steakburger, a limited-edition menu item launched to celebrate five months of accepting Bitcoin (BTC) payments across all its outlets.

The burger, featuring two steakburger patties, American cheese, pickles, onions, and ketchup, stands out for one striking detail, a Bitcoin logo emblazoned on the bun. It’s available as a single item or as part of a “Bitcoin Meal” combo, complete with fries and a drink.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the company announced,

“Five months ago today, Steak ‘n Shake began accepting Bitcoin payments. In celebration, we are launching the Bitcoin Steakburger! Hurry to any Steak ‘n Shake and enjoy them while they last. Supplies are limited… just like Bitcoin.”

This symbolic statement links the burger’s short availability to Bitcoin’s finite supply, a clever nod to the crypto’s scarcity-driven value proposition.

From Burgers to Bitcoin: A Digital Payments Success Story

Steak ‘n Shake first hinted at crypto adoption earlier this year, teasing its 468,000 followers on X with the idea of accepting Bitcoin. The plan became reality on May 16, 2025, when the chain officially rolled out Bitcoin payments across all its locations, offering over 100 million customers the option to pay for their meals using BTC.

Since the rollout, the move has proven commercially rewarding. The brand reported a 15% surge in same-store sales during the third quarter of 2025, outperforming its previous years’ growth, 2% in 2024, 6% in 2023 and 14% in 2022.

Executives attributed the strong performance partly to the enthusiasm of the Bitcoin community, which rallied behind the company for embracing digital currency payments.

Each Bitcoin Steakburger, priced at $7.19, comes in bright orange packaging inspired by Bitcoin’s iconic logo. The company said the special edition would be available for a short time, reinforcing its theme of limited supply.

The Ethereum Question and Bitcoin Loyalty

While the Bitcoin move brought massive attention and higher sales, Steak ‘n Shake briefly considered expanding its crypto payment options to include Ethereum (ETH). The idea was floated via an X poll, asking followers whether they wanted the restaurant to accept ETH payments.

Interestingly, early results showed a majority opposed the move, with Bitcoin maximalists urging the brand to stay loyal to BTC. Despite the poll later shifting in favour of Ethereum, Steak ‘n Shake decided to remain exclusive to Bitcoin payments, citing its alignment with the “Bitcoin ethos” and community.

In a follow-up post, the company emphasised:

“Our allegiance is with Bitcoiners. We’re building something long-term, not just chasing trends.”

This stance has earned praise from hardcore Bitcoin supporters who see the restaurant as a growing symbol of crypto culture entering mainstream consumer life.

Bitcoin Burgers and the Fast-Food Crypto Trend

Steak ‘n Shake’s Bitcoin embrace is part of a broader fast-food industry shift toward cryptocurrency integration.
In 2025, several major restaurant brands followed similar paths:

• FAT Brands, the parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza and Great American Cookies, began accepting Bitcoin for international franchise royalty payments, citing reduced cross-border transaction costs.
  
• Subway extended Bitcoin payment options across select European outlets via the GoCrypto platform, even introducing loyalty rewards for crypto users.
  
• In South Africa, Pizza Hut and KFC launched Bitcoin payment systems to meet the rising demand for digital and contactless payment options.
  

This growing adoption signals a mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrency within the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, especially as brands seek to appeal to younger, tech-savvy consumers.

A Symbolic Step Toward the Future of Dining

Beyond novelty, the Bitcoin Steakburger reflects a larger shift in how consumers engage with brands and payments. By merging crypto culture with comfort food, Steak ‘n Shake positions itself at the intersection of digital finance and everyday lifestyle.

The company also tied the campaign to broader national trends, referencing Secretary Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which supports quality ingredients and digital inclusion.

With sales up, public engagement surging and a distinct crypto identity, Steak ‘n Shake’s Bitcoin experiment has become more than just a marketing stunt, it’s a glimpse into how blockchain technology could reshape consumer experiences.

As the Bitcoin Steakburger continues to make waves, one thing is clear:
Steak ‘n Shake isn’t just serving burgers, it’s serving the future, one Bitcoin at a time.