Steak ‘n Shake is extending its growing relationship with Bitcoin by introducing a new incentive for its hourly workforce, marking another step in the restaurant chain’s expanding crypto-focused strategy. The American franchise has announced that it will begin paying a small hourly bonus to eligible employees in Bitcoin, reinforcing its position as one of the more crypto-friendly brands in the fast-food industry.
Under the new scheme, hourly employees at company-operated Steak ‘n Shake locations will earn an additional bonus valued at $0.21 for every hour worked. Rather than being paid out immediately, the bonus will accrue in Bitcoin and fully vest after two years. The programme is being delivered in partnership with Fold, a publicly traded company that provides Bitcoin payments and rewards infrastructure.
The company revealed that the Bitcoin bonus will take effect from March 1, with employees able to access their accumulated BTC once the vesting period is complete. Based on a standard 40-hour work week, an eligible worker could accumulate roughly $436.80 worth of Bitcoin per year. At current market prices, that equates to just over 0.005 BTC, although the final value will ultimately depend on Bitcoin’s price at the time of vesting.
The initiative has sparked mixed reactions online. Supporters, particularly those already active in the crypto space, have praised the move as a practical way to introduce more people to Bitcoin and encourage long-term saving. Critics, however, have questioned the size of the bonus and argued that a traditional wage increase would be more meaningful for workers facing rising living costs.
This latest announcement follows a series of Bitcoin-related decisions by Steak ‘n Shake over the past year. The chain first hinted at accepting Bitcoin payments in early 2025 before rolling out the option across its US franchises a few months later. Since then, the company has leaned heavily into Bitcoin culture, even abandoning earlier plans to support Ethereum payments after backlash from Bitcoin advocates.
As part of its promotional efforts, Steak ‘n Shake previously launched a limited-edition Bitcoin-themed steakburger featuring a BTC logo on the bun. The campaign later evolved into a partnership with Fold, offering customers a small Bitcoin reward for purchasing the product. The brand has also claimed that its alignment with the Bitcoin community has had a positive impact on sales performance.
Beyond payments and promotions, the company has taken steps to strengthen its balance sheet strategy around digital assets. Late last year, Steak ‘n Shake announced the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve, committing to hold Bitcoin payments rather than converting them to cash. That reserve was recently expanded through a $10 million notional increase in Bitcoin exposure, although the firm clarified that notional value does not necessarily reflect a direct purchase of that amount in BTC.
Neither Steak ‘n Shake nor Fold provided additional comment following the announcement. Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues to trade below its recent peak, remaining significantly off its October all-time high despite modest short-term price movements.
