Steak n Shake becomes a benchmark in the fast-food industry: issuing Bitcoin incentives to hourly employees

Fast food chain Steak n Shake has launched an innovative initiative to reward employees with Bitcoin, which has become an important reference case for the traditional retail industry adopting cryptocurrencies. Starting March 1, hourly employees of the company will receive Bitcoin equivalent to $0.21 per hour as compensation, and this reward can only be withdrawn after the employee has worked for two years. This approach not only demonstrates the company’s recognition of Bitcoin but also provides a model for other industry participants to follow.

Significance of a Notable Compensation Innovation

Steak n Shake’s plan is roughly equivalent to about 1% of the federal minimum wage. Although the amount may seem small, its significance far exceeds its literal value. The company partnered with Fold, an application that distributes Bitcoin rewards, to implement this system, making it the first in the fast-food industry to systematically allocate Bitcoin assets to employees. This practice is becoming a reference for traditional companies exploring digital asset incentives, marking the gradual integration of cryptocurrencies from investment tools into everyday compensation systems.

From Lightning Network Integration to Employee Incentives

Steak n Shake’s embrace of Bitcoin began in May 2025, when the company started accepting Bitcoin payments at all its locations across the United States via the Lightning Network. This technological choice proved to be pragmatic—using the Lightning Network to process payments halved the company’s transaction fees and attracted a younger consumer demographic. Operations Director Dan Edwards pointed out that Bitcoin payment solutions are not just marketing gimmicks but practical cost-optimization tools.

This reference value quickly translated into business results. In Q2 2025, stores accepting Bitcoin saw sales increase by over 10%, validating the strategy’s effectiveness. Based on this success, the company recently announced adding $10 million worth of Bitcoin to its corporate treasury, further deepening its commitment to digital assets.

Brand Building and Market Positioning

In advancing its Bitcoin strategy, Steak n Shake has also launched several branding activities to reinforce its position as a pioneer in digital assets. In October 2025, the company introduced a Bitcoin-themed burger combo, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale contributed to open-source Bitcoin software development. While these initiatives may seem like marketing creativity, they actually establish a benchmark—demonstrating that adopting Bitcoin is not an act of radicalism but a responsible business evolution.

Structured Incentive Mechanisms

The partnership with Fold has designed a long-term incentive structure. The Bitcoin rewards for employees follow a two-year lock-up period, similar to stock options in the tech industry. This design ensures long-term alignment of interests between employees and the company, while also allowing employees to participate in the potential appreciation of Bitcoin’s value.

From a financial perspective, assuming a 30-hour workweek, a Steak n Shake employee can currently earn approximately $327 worth of Bitcoin annually (based on the current BTC price of about $77,790). Although this figure is relatively small, it represents a new channel for asset accumulation for hourly workers in the fast-food industry.

Reference Value and Industry Insights

Steak n Shake’s comprehensive approach—from technological infrastructure (Lightning Network), business application (payment acceptance), to employee incentives (Bitcoin compensation)—constitutes a complete reference framework. This case demonstrates that even traditional industries with seemingly low technological content can organically integrate Bitcoin, gaining cost savings and growth momentum.

For other restaurant or retail businesses, Steak n Shake offers a replicable and verifiable model: not necessarily rushing in, but gradually starting with payment integration, then expanding to treasury reserves and employee incentives, ultimately forming a comprehensive digital asset strategy.