Steak ‘n Shake to Pay Hourly Workers in Bitcoin Starting March

Core Insights - Steak 'n Shake is implementing a Bitcoin bonus program for hourly employees, offering $0.21 for every hour worked, accessible after a two-year vesting period, as part of its transformation into a "real bitcoin company" [1] - The company aims to create a self-sustaining model by channeling customer Bitcoin payments into treasury holdings, which has contributed to significant sales growth [4][6] Employee Compensation - Starting March 1, hourly employees will receive a Bitcoin bonus, potentially allowing a full-time minimum wage worker to retire with over $3 million after 30 years if Bitcoin maintains a 20% annual growth rate [1][2] - The program is part of a broader strategy to enhance employee compensation and financial security through cryptocurrency [1] Financial Performance - Steak 'n Shake reported $69.3 million in Q2 2025 revenue, a 12% year-over-year increase, with Bitcoin users contributing to a 10.7% quarter-over-quarter rise in same-store sales [6] - The company experienced a 15% growth in same-store sales in Q3, outperforming major competitors in the fast-food sector [6] Bitcoin Strategy - The company made a $10 million Bitcoin treasury purchase, acquiring approximately 105 BTC, marking its first direct allocation since accepting crypto payments [3] - A "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve" system has been formalized to accumulate reserves through customer Bitcoin payments rather than converting them to cash [4] Payment Innovations - The implementation of Lightning Network payments across all US locations has resulted in nearly 50% savings on transaction fees compared to credit cards, contributing to increased same-store sales [5] - The partnership with Fold Holdings includes a Community Rewards Program, offering customers $5 worth of Bitcoin for purchasing branded items [7]