Steak n’ Shake’s Bitcoin Payments Cut Costs, Eyeing High-Tech Future
From burgers to robo-taxis: Steak n’ Shake embraces crypto and innovation
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Just two weeks after rolling out bitcoin payments, American fast-food chain Steak n’ Shake is already seeing major benefits, according to COO Dan Edwards.
Speaking at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Edwards revealed that accepting bitcoin has significantly lowered the company’s transaction costs. “When customers pay with bitcoin instead of credit cards, we cut our processing fees by about 50%,” he said. “That’s a win for the customer, a win for us, and a win for the bitcoin community.”
On the very first day of bitcoin acceptance—May 16—Steak n’ Shake accounted for one in every 500 bitcoin transactions worldwide, underscoring early strong adoption.
“Offering bitcoin payments allows us to meet customers where they are,” Edwards explained. “By adding bitcoin alongside cash and credit cards, we’re placing it on equal footing with traditional payment methods accepted globally.”
The crypto-friendly approach doesn’t stop at food purchases. Edwards also announced that potential franchisees can buy Steak n’ Shake franchises using bitcoin, opening a new frontier for digital currency adoption.
Looking ahead, Edwards shared the company’s ambitious plans to incorporate cutting-edge technology such as robo-taxis, cyber-chefs, and delivery drones, aiming to bring fast food into the future.
