9-5-2025 – American fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake has declared that, from May 16, it will welcome Bitcoin payments across all its outlets. The announcement, shared on X on May 9, heralds a new era for the brand, which boasts a customer base exceeding 100 million. With a playful nod to Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, the company signed off its statement as “Steaktoshi,” proclaiming that “the movement is just beginning.” This move marks a significant milestone in the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency, as few restaurant chains have ventured beyond tentative trials to implement full-scale crypto payments.
The seeds of this initiative were sown in March, when Steak ‘n Shake sparked a social media frenzy by posing a simple question: “Should Steak ‘n Shake accept Bitcoin?” The post ignited fervent support from the crypto community, with notable figures like Jack Dorsey, a prominent Bitcoin advocate, swiftly endorsing the idea. Since then, the chain has leaned into the momentum, weaving Bitcoin-themed marketing, Tesla-related promotions, and cryptic visual cues into its social media presence, building anticipation for this landmark decision.
Steak ‘n Shake joins a growing cadre of fast food giants dipping their toes into the crypto waters. Chipotle, for instance, has embraced nearly 100 cryptocurrencies since 2022, including Bitcoin (BTC, valued at $103,690), Ether (ETH, $2,365), and Solana (SOL, $165.12), through its partnership with Flexa. Subway, a pioneer in this space, trialled Bitcoin payments at select locations as early as 2013. Elsewhere, KFC Canada briefly offered a “Bitcoin Bucket” in 2018, while McDonald’s accepts BTC in Lugano, Switzerland, as part of a regional crypto experiment. Burger King has also explored crypto gift cards and direct payments in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Venezuela, and in September, Donald Trump notably used Bitcoin to purchase burgers at a New York City bar. In El Salvador, where Bitcoin is legal tender, Pizza Hut has been accepting BTC since 2021.
The historical significance of crypto in fast food traces back to May 22, 2010, now celebrated as Bitcoin Pizza Day. On that day, Laszlo Hanyecz made the first documented Bitcoin transaction, exchanging 10,000 BTC—then worth $40—for two pizzas. Today, those pizzas would command a staggering value exceeding a billion dollars, underscoring the meteoric rise of cryptocurrency.
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
