Fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake has introduced a new compensation model aimed at hourly employees, offering a “Bitcoin bonus” of $0.21 per hour. Announced via the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, this initiative is designed to reward workers at corporate locations. The company stated, “We take care of our employees; they, in turn, take care of customers; and the results take care of themselves.”
While the concept of a bonus may seem appealing, it comes with significant caveats. Employees will only be able to access their Bitcoin compensation after a two-year vesting period. This means that workers must remain with the company for a full two years before they can unlock their cryptocurrency bonus. Such vesting periods are common in corporate settings involving stock options or retirement contributions, but they are unusual in the fast-food industry.
The financial implications of this bonus are modest. If employees work the standard 2,080 hours over two years, they could anticipate receiving approximately $873.60 in Bitcoin, assuming the value remains stable and conversion fees do not diminish the payout. It is important to note that this bonus is not applicable to employees working at franchise locations. As of June 2025, nearly 60 percent of all Steak ‘n Shake restaurants were franchises, according to food-industry publication Tasting Table.
Concerns have been raised that this initiative may serve as a justification for stagnant wages amid rising living costs. The announcement followed news that Steak ‘n Shake is holding $10 million worth of Bitcoin in its “strategic bitcoin reserve.” Eight months prior, the company began accepting Bitcoin as payment for its products, a decision that aligns with its increasingly libertarian approach to business.
While introducing cryptocurrency into employee compensation may appear innovative, the effectiveness of such a program remains to be seen. Stakeholders and workers alike will be watching closely to assess its impact on wages and employee satisfaction moving forward.
