Pro-Bitcoin Fast Food Restaurant Steak ‘n Shake Expands into El Salvador
US burger chain’s crypto sales surge as it doubles down on BTC
Steak ‘n Shake, a United States fast food chain that takes Bitcoin payments, is moving deeper into “Bitcoin country” with a new expansion into El Salvador. The company announced the move after joining the nation’s recent Bitcoin Histórico event, signaling that crypto is becoming a core part of its international growth strategy.
The chain began accepting Bitcoin at its restaurants in May and now aims to roll out BTC payments across all of its locations worldwide, according to its chief operations officer. Management has even linked an almost 11% jump in same-store sales in the second quarter to the decision to support Bitcoin at the till, positioning BTC as a real driver of customer traffic and spending.
Within the Bitcoin community, Steak ‘n Shake has become something of a cult favorite — a mainstream brand that treats BTC not just as a speculative asset but as money for everyday purchases. For many Bitcoin advocates, this kind of usage is a key step toward wider global adoption.
However, the company recently sparked controversy when it asked followers on X whether it should also accept Ether as a payment option. A narrow majority of roughly 49,000 voters backed the idea, but vocal Bitcoin maximalists blasted the move, accusing the chain of betraying its BTC-first stance.
Despite initially saying it would respect the poll’s outcome, Steak ‘n Shake quickly reversed course, publicly declaring its loyalty to Bitcoin-only payments and scrapping the Ether plan.
That hardline position hasn’t hurt its numbers. In November, the company reported a 15% quarter-on-quarter jump in same-store sales for Q3, outpacing major rivals including McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and Starbucks — and giving Bitcoin-only payments a powerful real-world showcase.
