Fast-food chain Steak “n Shake is set to implement a Bitcoin bonus program for its hourly employees at company-operated locations, marking a significant step towards integrating digital assets as a means to enhance employee retention. Announced via an X post on Wednesday, the initiative will allow hourly workers to earn a Bitcoin (BTC) bonus of $0.21 for each hour worked, effective March 1. This bonus comes with a two-year vesting period.
Calculating the potential earnings, a full-time employee working 40 hours weekly could anticipate receiving approximately $8.40 in Bitcoin weekly, totaling around $437 annually based on a 52-week work schedule. The program is being facilitated by Fold, a company specializing in Bitcoin rewards and payments.
This initiative capitalizes on a noticeable generational shift in attitudes toward cryptocurrencies. A recent survey by the crypto exchange OKX revealed that 40% of Generation Z and 41% of Millennials exhibit a high level of trust in crypto platforms, a stark contrast to the mere 9% of baby boomers who share this sentiment. Given that a considerable portion of the workforce in the restaurant and foodservice sector is relatively young—approximately 40% are under 25 and 60% under 35 according to a data brief from the National Restaurant Association—it seems that this program could resonate well with the demographic.
Steak “n Shake has been accepting Bitcoin payments across its restaurant locations since May 2025. The company claims this move has contributed to heightened performance metrics. Recently, it revealed that its Bitcoin holdings now total about $10 million, asserting that same-store sales have “risen dramatically” since the introduction of Bitcoin payments. However, specific details regarding whether this growth was driven by price appreciation, customer payments, or new Bitcoin acquisitions were not disclosed.
Steak “n Shake is not alone in its embrace of Bitcoin for payments. Other companies have also begun accepting Bitcoin in various capacities. For instance, Block Inc. announced in May 2025 that it would implement Bitcoin payment capabilities through its Square point-of-sale system. This feature allows merchants to either hold Bitcoin or convert it to fiat currency automatically at checkout, as explained by CEO Jack Dorsey. In addition, payment giant PayPal indicated in July 2025 its plans to enable merchants to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies via its Pay with Crypto feature, converting payments into fiat or stablecoins during transactions.
The growing trend of companies holding Bitcoin as part of their strategic reserve assets has also gained traction. Data from BitcoinTreasuries.NET indicates that 194 public companies collectively hold approximately 1.13 million Bitcoin on their balance sheets, showcasing the increasing institutional confidence in the cryptocurrency.
