The American fast-food chain Steak ‘n Shake has announced that it will start accepting Bitcoin payments in all its US locations from May 16. This was revealed in a tweet on May 9, where the company stated, “The movement is just beginning,” and ended the post as “Steaktoshi.”
This development has been highly anticipated in the crypto community, especially since March, when the chain initially asked its followers about the possibility of accepting Bitcoin.
Dorsey’s Support
Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter and a well-known Bitcoin advocate, responded positively to the company’s social media inquiry weeks prior, contributing to the ongoing excitement surrounding the announcement. Following this, Steak ‘n Shake has increased its Bitcoin-related promotions, including Tesla giveaways and intriguing messages to attract attention.
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….
—Steaktoshi pic.twitter.com/1SGMifDZep
— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) May 9, 2025
Steak ‘n Shake is now among a select few national restaurant chains fully embracing Bitcoin. Beginning May 16, customers can pay for burgers, fries, and shakes using Bitcoin at any US location.
Bitcoin for Millions of Customers
The restaurant chain estimates that over 100 million customers will benefit from this new payment method. This is significant, as while some other chains have explored cryptocurrency, most have limited it to select locations or trial phases.
For context, Chipotle started accepting crypto payments in 2022 through Flexa, which handles around 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
Subway has been testing crypto payment options since 2013, while McDonald’s offers Bitcoin payments in Lugano, Switzerland. Other fast-food chains like Pizza Hut and Burger King have also explored various limited-time promotions, especially in countries where Bitcoin is recognized as legal tender.
Fast-Food and Crypto: A Long History
The relationship between Bitcoin and fast food is not a recent phenomenon. In 2010, a Florida resident named Laszlo Hanyecz famously spent 10,000 BTC on two pizzas, a transaction that would be worth hundreds of millions today. This event is now commemorated every year as Bitcoin Pizza Day.
More than a decade later, Steak ‘n Shake is modernizing this relationship by allowing diners to pay for their meals using digital currency.
The Evolution of Payment Technologies
This announcement coincides with advancements in crypto payment technologies. Recently, a company named Mesh introduced an Apple Pay integration, enabling merchants to accept cryptocurrency via this mobile payment platform.
Image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
