U.S. Restaurant Chain Invests in Bitcoin and Launches BTC Bonuses for Employees

Source: Coinspaidmedia Original Title: U.S. Restaurant Chain Invests in Bitcoin and Launches BTC Bonuses for Employees Original Link: The U.S. fast-food restaurant chain Steak 'n Shake announced an expansion of its crypto strategy. The company added $10 million to its Bitcoin reserves and launched a BTC bonus program for employees.

The management of the major U.S. fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake reported the purchase of BTC worth $10 million, which was included in the company's strategic reserves.

According to the company, it built a "self-sustaining system" in which revenue growth directly contributes to the growth of its Bitcoin reserves. However, it didn't specify what portion of the assets was formed from customer payments and what portion resulted from direct market purchases.

BTC payments at Steak 'n Shake restaurants began on May 16, 2025, using the Lightning Network. The company previously stated that all BTC received from customers would be credited to its balance sheet. Eight months after the launch of crypto payments, Steak 'n Shake reported a significant improvement in same-store sales, without disclosing absolute figures.

At the same time, the company is expanding the use of BTC within its corporate model. Starting March 1, 2026, hourly employees at Steak 'n Shake will be enrolled in a special bonus program. Workers will earn $0.21 in BTC for every hour worked. However, the bonus will only be available for withdrawal after two years. With a standard 40-hour workweek, the bonus will amount to approximately $8.40 per week, or about $437 per year. The program is implemented with the support of FinTech company Fold, which specializes in Bitcoin payments.

The focus on crypto also reflects industry demographics and changing attitudes toward digital assets. According to data from the U.S. National Restaurant Association for April 2025, around 40% of restaurant and fast-food workers are under 25 years old, and 60% are under 35. Meanwhile, a survey showed that the highest levels of trust in cryptocurrencies are demonstrated by Gen Z and millennials --- 40% and 41%, respectively.

Steak 'n Shake's initiatives are unfolding amid growing business interest in corporate crypto reserves, as companies increasingly view Bitcoin as a new standard for asset diversification. In Q1 2025, public companies acquired 95,500 BTC, bringing total corporate Bitcoin reserves to $56.7 billion. As of January 2026, public companies hold 1,130,395 BTC.