Emre Yumlu 
The well-known American fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake has announced that it will begin accepting Bitcoin as a payment method at all of its locations starting on May 16. In a social media post shared on X on May 9, the company stated that the move would be available to more than 100 million customers, signing off the message with the nickname “Steaktoshi” and saying “the movement is just beginning.”
A New Era of Bitcoin Payments
Back in March, the company had already sparked speculation by asking followers whether it should accept Bitcoin as a payment option. The post gained traction within the crypto community, with notable figures like Jack Dorsey responding with support.
Since then, Steak ‘n Shake has embraced crypto culture in its marketing, running Bitcoin-themed promotions, Tesla giveaways, and sharing visual teasers that hinted at a shift toward digital payments.
Fast Food Meets Crypto: A Growing Movement
Steak ‘n Shake’s adoption of Bitcoin marks a notable shift, as few restaurant chains have fully integrated crypto payments beyond small-scale trials. This move places it among a select group of fast food brands embracing digital currencies on a broader level.
Others in the industry have also taken similar steps. Since 2022, Chipotle has allowed payments in nearly 100 different cryptocurrencies—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana—through Flexa’s platform.
Subway was among the first to explore Bitcoin payments, launching a pilot program in select stores as early as 2013. KFC Canada briefly offered a “Bitcoin Bucket” promotion in 2018, and McDonald’s began accepting Bitcoin in Lugano, Switzerland, through a localized crypto initiative.
Burger King has also experimented with crypto payments and gift cards in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Venezuela. More recently, Donald Trump made headlines by buying burgers with Bitcoin at a New York venue in September. Pizza Hut in El Salvador started accepting BTC after the country declared it legal tender in 2021.
Bitcoin and Fast Food: A Symbolic Connection
The relationship between fast food and Bitcoin goes back to the legendary Bitcoin Pizza Day, when Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 BTC for two pizzas on May 22, 2010. At the time, the transaction was worth just $40—today, it would be valued in the billions.
Steak ‘n Shake’s latest move adds a new chapter to that history. By enabling Bitcoin payments, the chain not only expands its customer options but also contributes to making crypto a part of everyday life.
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