Recently, news has emerged that Steak ‘n Shake is gearing up for a significant move into the Central American market, particularly in El Salvador. This announcement follows their engagement in the Bitcoin Histórico event held in San Salvador.
The iconic fast-food brand made waves back in May 2025 when it began accepting Bitcoin as a payment method in its U.S. locations. To celebrate this milestone, they launched a themed menu item called the “Bitcoin Steakburger,” further cementing their commitment to the crypto revolution.
Embracing Cryptocurrency
Eager to make a mark in the crypto space, Steak ‘n Shake hinted at their ambitions with a post on social media in early May 2025, teasing new payment options. By mid-May, they successfully integrated Bitcoin payments across their U.S. outlets, with the company’s Chief Operations Officer, Dan Edwards, indicating future aspirations to roll out the payment option globally.
Steak ‘n Shake’s goal is clear: to become a recognized leader in the fast-food market that supports Bitcoin payments.
El Salvador is an incredible hub for innovation
Thrilled to be in Bitcoin Country, we served up delicious Beef Tallow Fries alongside unique offerings like Grass-Fed and Wagyu Beef Tallow Cooking Oil.
This is just the beginning of an exciting journey
— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) November 15, 2025
Boost in Sales and Analyst Insights
Following the Bitcoin payment integration, reports indicate a remarkable 11% rise in same-store sales during the second quarter. This growth advanced even further, reaching a 15% increase by the third quarter.
While it remains challenging to pinpoint the exact impact of cryptocurrency acceptance on sales performance, analysts noted that the timing coincided with significant boosts for the brand, outpacing competitors like McDonald’s and Starbucks during that period.
Customer Feedback and Corporate Responsiveness
Steak ‘n Shake faced a heated debate when they polled their followers regarding the addition of Ether as a payment option. Out of almost 50,000 responses, 53% voted in favor, though the backlash from some Bitcoin enthusiasts was vocal.
A huge thank you to our Bitcoin supporters for driving our best sales performance yet!
This quarter reflects even greater growth!
pic.twitter.com/s2wuTwUPkb
— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) November 14, 2025
One critical voice, known as Ron Sovereignty Swanson, expressed firm dissatisfaction by stating, “ETH represents centralization while Bitcoin stands for freedom. If you implement this, you risk alienating your loyal Bitcoin customers, including myself.”
In response to the pushback, the company quickly scrapped the Ether poll and reassured supporters with their commitment: “Poll canceled. We support Bitcoin. Your voices are heard. Who suggested this anyway? I’m back at my desk.”
The Impact of Customer Sentiment
This swift change reflects the strong influence of customer sentiment on business decisions. Steak ‘n Shake’s withdrawal from the Ether initiative highlights their desire to maintain strong relationships with Bitcoin advocates.
Such advocacy seems to be bolstering the brand’s reputation within the crypto community, making it a hot topic among Bitcoin enthusiasts online.
Featured image from Steak ‘n Shake, chart from TradingView
