Steak ’n Shake announced Saturday that it has increased its Bitcoin holdings by $10 million in notional value, deepening the fast-food chain’s commitment to digital currency following the rollout of Bitcoin payments across its U.S. restaurants.
The Indianapolis-based company stated that all Bitcoin received from customers is directed into its “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.” According to a social media post from the official Steak ’n Shake account, this initiative links its payment strategy to broader business growth, and the reserve is intended to fuel improvements without necessitating menu price increases.
Steak ’n Shake did not disclose its total Bitcoin holdings or the precise timing of the latest purchase. However, the company indicated that the increase reflects the cumulative effect of accepting crypto payments over an eight-month period.
Bitcoin Payments Linked to Sales Growth
Steak ’n Shake began accepting Bitcoin at all U.S. locations in May 2025, utilizing the Lightning Network. This protocol is designed to expedite transactions and reduce costs compared to traditional card payments.
The company reported that same-store sales have risen “dramatically” since the introduction of the crypto payment option. Independent media reports and company statements from late 2025 indicated same-store sales increases exceeding 10% in the second quarter and approximately 15% in the third quarter following the Bitcoin rollout.
Steak ’n Shake Chief Operating Officer Dan Edwards previously informed reporters that the restaurant experienced savings of about 50% on processing fees when customers paid in Bitcoin, in contrast to credit card fees.
The restaurant’s strategy also incorporates a consumer engagement component. Last year, it introduced a Bitcoin-branded burger and allocated a portion of the proceeds from a “Bitcoin Meal” to support Bitcoin development projects.
Industry analysts observe that Steak ’n Shake’s approach is distinctive for a major restaurant brand, as it integrates cryptocurrency directly into daily operations rather than solely treating it as an investment asset. While broader adoption of Bitcoin in retail settings remains limited, companies exploring digital currency acceptance suggest it can lead to cost reductions and attract technologically inclined customers.
This week’s announcement from Steak ’n Shake represents one of the more prominent instances of a consumer-facing business connecting its payment systems with Bitcoin accumulation and corporate strategy.
Technical Analysis Suggests Potential for Bitcoin Price Surge
In parallel, Bitcoin’s weekly chart is showing signs of an upward trend after maintaining a rising trendline, according to technical analyst Donald Dean. Dean posits that the next channel target is projected to be around $136,000.
Bitcoin Weekly Chart. Source: TradingView / X
Dean expressed on X that Bitcoin is poised to “move higher,” contending that the most recent rebound originated from long-term trendline support on the weekly timeframe. The chart illustrates Bitcoin remaining within an upward-sloping channel, with the recent pullback halting above the lower boundary before a price recovery commenced.
This pattern sustains the broader uptrend, as the weekly configuration continues to display higher highs and higher lows, even after the correction from the prior peak. The upper trendline, drawn across earlier weekly highs, now serves as the reference point for Dean’s projected target of approximately $136,000.
The analysis also referenced IBIT, the iShares Bitcoin Trust, as a proxy for Bitcoin exposure that many traders monitor alongside the spot price. While the chart does not specify a timeline, the weekly framing suggests that any movement toward the upper boundary would likely span weeks rather than days, and would be contingent upon Bitcoin continuing to hold above the rising support line.