Steak 'n Shake announced it will be awarding its employees with Bitcoin, which can only be unlocked after two years of service.

Steak 'n Shake, the American restaurant chain, announced plans to reward its employees with Bitcoin, but the Bitcoin will not be immediately usable during the vesting period. Employees must work continuously for the company for two years before they can unlock, transfer, or sell the accumulated Bitcoin, a mechanism similar to the vesting period arrangement in stock incentives. Reports indicate that at current Bitcoin price levels, employees working approximately 30 hours per week could receive approximately $327 worth of Bitcoin annually. This reward mechanism is not immediate but implemented through deferred access. This policy comes less than a year after Steak 'n Shake began accepting payments via the Bitcoin Lightning Network last May. The company stated at the time that transaction fees dropped by nearly half within just two weeks of launching Bitcoin payments. In addition to payment scenarios, the company is actively expanding into the cryptocurrency space, including sponsoring the Bitcoin 2025 conference and adding approximately $10 million worth of Bitcoin to its balance sheet to build its "Bitcoin strategic reserve." Steak 'n Shake also launched a Bitcoin-themed meal last October, with each "Bitcoin Meal" donating a small amount to projects supporting Bitcoin's open-source development. Operationally, the company has been continuously adjusting its business in recent years. Its number of US stores has decreased from over 600 in 2018 to approximately 400 by the end of 2025, and it is gradually shifting towards a fast-food model centered on franchise partners and self-service ordering, while retaining the brand's signature retro style.