American restaurants give out Bitcoin bonuses! Steak'n Shake workers can earn an extra $0.21 BTC for every hour worked.

American fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake announces it will distribute Bitcoin hourly bonuses to employees, with a two-year vesting period. The company has successfully saved on transaction fees through Bitcoin payments, leading to performance growth that outpaces competitors like McDonald’s.

Steak 'n Shake issues Bitcoin bonuses, earning an extra $0.21 USD BTC per hour

The longstanding American fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake announced a new salary benefit policy yesterday (1/21). Starting March 1, this year, hourly employees at company-operated stores will receive Bitcoin bonuses, marking a major innovation in the restaurant industry.

Steak 'n Shake states that any hourly employee working at company-operated stores will receive an additional $0.21 USD worth of Bitcoin for each hour worked, implemented through the Bitcoin reward app Fold in cooperation.

However, employees cannot withdraw this bonus immediately. The reward has a two-year vesting period, meaning employees must remain employed for two years to claim the accumulated Bitcoin.

Image source: X Steak 'n Shake issues Bitcoin bonuses, earning an extra $0.21 USD BTC per hour

This $0.21 hourly bonus is roughly equivalent to 1% of the US federal minimum wage. While it may seem modest, for long-term frontline employees, it represents a form of long-term investment similar to stock options offered by tech companies.

Assuming Bitcoin prices remain stable, if working 30 hours per week, employees could earn approximately $327 worth of Bitcoin annually.

Steak 'n Shake emphasizes that the core idea of this policy is to care for employees. When employees are well taken care of, they will naturally serve customers better, thereby boosting the company’s overall performance.

Steak 'n Shake Bitcoin payments save on transaction fees, outperform McDonald’s

Founded in 1934, Steak 'n Shake has about 400 locations across the US, known for its steaks, burgers, and milkshakes.

In 2025, Steak 'n Shake fully adopted Bitcoin payment systems and launched Bitcoin-themed burgers in October of that year. For each “Bitcoin meal” sold, the company also donates to support open-source Bitcoin development.

Steak 'n Shake COO Dan Edwards revealed that after integrating Bitcoin payments, not only did they successfully halve credit card processing fees, but they also effectively attracted a younger customer base.

In Q2 2025, same-store sales grew by 11% compared to the previous quarter, with a further increase to 15% in Q3. This growth outperformed competitors like McDonald’s and Domino’s, and the company credits its bold adoption of Bitcoin payments for this success.

Image source: Steak ‘n Shake’s growth rate expanded to 15% in Q3 2025, surpassing McDonald’s

Steak 'n Shake also established a Bitcoin strategic reserve

Currently, Steak 'n Shake directs all revenue from Bitcoin sales into its Bitcoin strategic reserve, which recently announced an increase in its nominal value by $10 million.

Steak 'n Shake believes that opening Bitcoin payments has driven same-store sales growth, which in turn has expanded the company’s Bitcoin holdings, creating a positive feedback loop.

From the closure of 230 stores between 2018 and 2025, to major shifts in payment, asset management, and marketing strategies, this nearly century-old fast-food chain is boldly stepping forward, becoming a flagship example of integrating cryptocurrency into real-world business operations.

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