American hamburger chain Steak’n Shake expands BTC strategic reserves, increases Bitcoin holdings by millions of dollars

The well-known American burger chain Steak ’n Shake announced that it has increased its Bitcoin (BTC) holdings by approximately ten million USD, eight months after fully accepting Bitcoin payments at all its stores across the United States. The company is further expanding its Bitcoin asset reserve investment. The company stated that from payment to investment, Bitcoin has formed a self-reinforcing cycle within its operational system, not only promoting sales growth but also helping to upgrade restaurant services and experiences. Steak ’n Shake pointed out via social media that since opening Bitcoin payments, more and more customers have chosen to pay with cryptocurrencies. All related revenue is funneled into the company’s internal fund pool called the SBR (Strategic Bitcoin Reserve), used to improve ingredient quality, renovate store equipment, and optimize customer experience, without passing costs onto customers through menu price increases. This model creates a positive cycle among customers, operations, and investments.

Steak ’n Shake Leads the Adoption of Bitcoin Lightning Network Payments

The company wrote on X that eight months ago today, Steak ’n Shake officially began accepting Bitcoin payments, marking the start of its transformation from a burger restaurant to a Bitcoin asset reserve. Since then, same-store sales have seen significant growth. In May of last year, Steak ’n Shake was the first to adopt Bitcoin Lightning Network, allowing customers to pay for orders with lower transaction fees and instant payments. Management at the time noted that this move could cut credit card transaction fees by about half and also attract younger generations and crypto-savvy consumers.

Bitcoin Payments Drive 10% Sales Growth

Based on actual operational data, this strategy has already shown initial success. According to the company, same-store sales increased by over 10% in Q2 2025. COO Dan Edwards stated that when customers pay with Bitcoin, the company saves a considerable amount on transaction fees, and these cost advantages are ultimately reflected in product and service quality. In addition to payment innovation, Steak ’n Shake is actively integrating Bitcoin elements into its brand marketing. Last year, it launched a Bitcoin-themed burger combo, with part of the proceeds donated to open-source Bitcoin projects, deepening the connection between the brand and the crypto community.

Adding 10 Million USD Worth of Bitcoin

The recent investment of 10 million USD to purchase Bitcoin, approximately equivalent to 105 BTC at current market prices, is Steak ’n Shake’s largest Bitcoin reserve asset investment to date. Although still small compared to large publicly traded companies—Strategy currently holds about 687,410 BTC with a market cap exceeding 65 billion USD—Steak ’n Shake’s move is seen as part of a broader corporate trend of adopting Bitcoin.

According to data from Bitcointreasuries, the total amount of Bitcoin held by various institutions—including corporations, government agencies, and Bitcoin ETFs—has exceeded 4 million BTC. As more companies view Bitcoin as a payment tool and an asset allocation option, Steak ’n Shake’s case demonstrates that cryptocurrencies are no longer confined to financial markets but are gradually penetrating daily operations in retail and the restaurant industry.

What is Steak ’n Shake’s SBR (Strategic Bitcoin Reserve)?

The SBR (Strategic Bitcoin Reserve) is an internal fund mechanism used by Steak ’n Shake to manage cryptocurrency income. The company consolidates revenue generated from customer Bitcoin payments and part of its operational earnings into this dedicated account, rather than converting immediately into USD. The concept of SBR is similar to traditional corporate cash or foreign exchange reserves but with Bitcoin as the asset, viewed as a long-term store of value and strategic asset.

Steak ’n Shake is the first large restaurant chain to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve )SBR(. As part of this plan, over the next 12 months, the company will donate 210 satoshis )sats( from each Bitcoin meal sale to the Open Sats Initiative, Inc. Customers purchasing registered Bitcoin steak burgers via the Fold App will receive free Bitcoin worth 5 USD. This initiative follows the company’s strong quarterly performance, with same-store sales increasing by 15%, surpassing all competitors, highlighting the growing impact of crypto participation on restaurant profitability.

Through the SBR mechanism, Steak ’n Shake is transforming Bitcoin from a simple payment tool into a part of its corporate balance sheet, reflecting a trend where more companies are investing in Bitcoin as a “strategic reserve asset,” rather than merely a highly volatile investment.

This article, “American burger chain Steak ’n Shake expands BTC strategic reserve, increases holdings of Bitcoin worth millions of dollars,” first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.