Steak ’n Shake Introduces Bitcoin Pay Per Hour for Restaurant Staff

• Steak ’n Shake will pay hourly employees $0.21 in Bitcoin per hour starting in March.
• Employees can claim the Bitcoin bonus after a two-year vesting period.
• The program is supported by Fold, which helps manage BTC rewards.

U.S. fast-food chain Steak ’n Shake has announced a new employee benefit that ties pay to cryptocurrency.

Starting March 1, hourly employees at company-operated Steak ’n Shake restaurants will receive a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked. The Bitcoin bonus will vest after two years, allowing employees to claim the BTC once they complete the required service period.

The company said the initiative is part of its focus on employee care, adding that when workers are supported, customer service and business results improve naturally.

How the Program Works

The Bitcoin bonuses will be tracked hourly and distributed after the vesting period. The program is being supported by Fold, a crypto payments and rewards platform that helps companies manage Bitcoin-based incentives.

Steak ’n Shake has not said how many employees will qualify, but the policy applies to all hourly staff at company-run locations.

Why Bitcoin Pay Is Gaining Attention

The move has been praised online, with many calling it a sign of how workplace benefits could evolve in the future. Supporters say Bitcoin bonuses can help companies reduce employee turnover, attract younger and crypto-aware workers, and generate positive attention at a relatively low upfront cost.

Some also said that if Bitcoin’s price rises over time, employees may see greater long-term value from the bonus than from traditional cash incentives.

Part of a Growing Trend

Steak ’n Shake is not alone. Other companies have already experimented with crypto-based pay and incentives. Some firms pay part of salaries in Bitcoin, while others offer crypto bonuses to encourage adoption and loyalty.

In October 2025, Square, owned by Block, offered a $50 Bitcoin incentive to the first 20,000 merchants who enabled its Bitcoin Conversions feature. The campaign aimed to speed up Bitcoin adoption among businesses.

Square has also rolled out a Bitcoin wallet for local merchants, allowing zero-fee Bitcoin transactions through 2026 and enabling small businesses to accept BTC directly at checkout.

Blockchain.com pays employees in Bitcoin, while GMO Internet Group allows staff to receive part of their salary in BTC. Companies like Purse.io and Exodus also use crypto bonuses to encourage adoption.

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