Bitcoin Updates: Bitcoin Takes Center Stage—Steak 'n Shake Offers Crypto Rewards to Patrons

Steak 'n Shake, a well-known American fast-food brand, has made a significant move into the world of cryptocurrency by creating a

reserve fund and introducing a customer rewards initiative connected to digital currency purchases. On October 31, 2025, the company revealed that all Bitcoin payments accepted at its restaurants would be placed into a dedicated corporate reserve, making it one of the first major U.S. fast-food brands to implement this approach, as reported by . This development follows Steak 'n Shake's earlier adoption of Bitcoin payments through the Lightning Network in May 2025, which reportedly cut payment processing expenses in half.

This new effort is accompanied by a special promotion in partnership with Phoenix-based Bitcoin financial services provider

(NASDAQ: FLD), . Customers who buy a specially marked "Bitcoin Burger" or "Bitcoin Meal" at around 400 locations are eligible for a $5 Bitcoin reward, which can be claimed through the Fold app. To receive the reward, customers need to upload their receipt to a specific website and enter a unique code. This campaign, described as the first time a U.S. restaurant chain has directly linked meal purchases to Bitcoin rewards, is designed to introduce new users to cryptocurrency by making digital assets part of everyday spending, .

"Bitcoin becomes mainstream when it is integrated into daily routines," said Will Reeves, chairman and CEO of Fold, highlighting the campaign's potential to expand adoption, according to

. Sardar Biglari, CEO of Steak 'n Shake, stated that the company's embrace of Bitcoin demonstrates its intention to "help shape the future of culture and business," as reported by . Additionally, the company committed to donating 210 satoshis (a small unit of Bitcoin) from each Bitcoin meal sold over the next year to the OpenSats Initiative, a nonprofit supporting open-source Bitcoin development, .

The creation of a Bitcoin reserve aligns with a larger movement of businesses and institutions adopting Bitcoin. Firms such as MicroStrategy and Hyperscale Data have previously accumulated significant Bitcoin reserves, with Hyperscale Data recently disclosing a $68.8 million Bitcoin holding, accounting for half its market value,

. Steak 'n Shake's decision reflects trust in Bitcoin's future potential, positioning it as both a value store and a means to engage customers, according to .

Bitcoin's market outlook has also brightened recently, with the cryptocurrency trading close to $114,600 as of October 28, 2025, after a turbulent month influenced by trade disputes and expectations around Federal Reserve policy, according to

. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen a surge in inflows, attracting $3.5 billion in new investments this month. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) leads these inflows, holding $92.66 billion in assets—representing 60% of all U.S. Bitcoin ETF assets, as reported by The Block.

Experts believe Steak 'n Shake's approach could encourage broader Bitcoin use in retail and food service. By treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset and offering direct crypto rewards to customers, the company is piloting a model that merges financial innovation with consumer convenience, according to BitcoinWorld. Nevertheless, there are ongoing challenges, such as Bitcoin's price fluctuations and changing regulations for digital assets, as highlighted in the CryptoRank analysis.

At present, Steak 'n Shake's initiative highlights Bitcoin's increasing acceptance in mainstream commerce, shifting it from a specialized investment to a practical part of daily transactions. As Reeves remarked, "For many, this will be their first experience owning bitcoin—and it will come from something as simple as buying a burger." The Block covered Reeves' statement.