U.S. fast-food chain Steak ’n Shake has added $5 million worth of Bitcoin to its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, reaffirming its commitment to direct all Bitcoin-denominated sales into the fund.
The latest addition brings the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to $15 million—roughly 167.7 BTC at the time of publication—following a $10 million increase announced on Jan. 18.
However, the company did not specify how much Bitcoin it currently holds in total, or whether the increase reflects price appreciation, customer payments, or additional treasury purchases.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Steak ’n Shake said its strategy of “improving food quality that grows same-store sales that then grow the SBR” is transforming the chain through the use of financial technology.
Steak ’n Shake began accepting Bitcoin payments across its restaurant network in May. The company said same-store sales across both company-owned and franchise locations are up 18% so far in 2026, citing Bitcoin adoption as one of the key drivers of that growth.
Bullish signal for Bitcoin supporters
“We are trouncing our competitors thanks to growing support from our loyal customers and our Bitcoin champions,” Steak ’n Shake said.
Bitcoiner and financial accountant Rajat Soni said more companies should consider following the chain’s approach. “If they do this, they’ll find it much easier to succeed because Bitcoin acts as a backstop,” he said. “I think most businesses fail because they don’t stay in the market long enough. Bitcoin extends your financial endurance.”
Bitcoin adoption among public companies has accelerated over the past year. Public treasury firms now collectively hold around 1.13 million Bitcoin—worth approximately $101.33 billion—according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.net.
Steak ’n Shake expands Bitcoin incentives to employees
In addition to continuing to accumulate Bitcoin, Steak ’n Shake recently announced plans to offer Bitcoin-denominated bonuses to hourly employees at company-operated locations.
Under the program, employees will earn a Bitcoin bonus equivalent to $0.21 per hour worked starting March 1, with a two-year vesting period.
Meanwhile, sentiment among Bitcoin supporters has been mixed as the asset’s price has traded largely sideways around the $90,000 level. Several prominent figures, including BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes and BitMine chair Tom Lee, had previously predicted Bitcoin would be trading near $250,000 by now.
At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $89,354 and has not surpassed $100,000 since Nov. 13, according to CoinMarketCap.
