TLDR
- Steak ‘n Shake kills ETH plans after BTC fans revolt, keeps Bitcoin-only policy.
- BTC loyalists sway Steak ‘n Shake to drop Ether payment expansion.
- ETH vote pulled by Steak ‘n Shake as Bitcoiners push back hard.
- Steak ‘n Shake sticks with BTC, scraps ETH after fan backlash.
- ETH plans scrapped fast—Bitcoin remains king at Steak ‘n Shake.
Steak ‘n Shake has stopped its plan to accept Ether (ETH) as payment following strong opposition from Bitcoin supporters. The fast-food chain launched a social media poll asking followers whether it should expand its crypto options. Although most users voted yes, the poll was taken down within hours after criticism from the Bitcoin community.
Bitcoin Stays as the Sole Crypto Payment
Steak ‘n Shake introduced Bitcoin (BTC) payments on May 16 across locations in the United States, France, Monaco, and Spain. The move resulted in a 15% year-over-year increase in same-store sales in the third quarter. Company executives attributed this growth to the support of Bitcoin users since the integration.
As the only accepted cryptocurrency, Bitcoin now defines Steak ‘n Shake’s digital payment strategy. The brand gained attention for being one of the first fast-food outlets to adopt BTC. However, expanding to ETH triggered concerns over loyalty among Bitcoin-focused customers.
Despite the initial poll showing 53% support for ETH, Steak ‘n Shake acted quickly to suspend the vote. The company posted that its loyalty remained with the Bitcoin community and halted further ETH-related steps. This decision followed criticism from notable figures in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Ether Push Faces Strong Resistance
Steak ‘n Shake’s short-lived Ether poll drew backlash from prominent Bitcoin advocates, including developers and influencers. Critics argued that introducing ETH would dilute the brand’s pro-Bitcoin identity. Others said even considering ETH payments undermined its commitment to BTC-only supporters.
The reaction on social media was swift and negative, leading the company to retract the initiative within four hours. Though the poll favored ETH, the vocal backlash from BTC users appeared to outweigh the vote count. Steak ‘n Shake chose to protect its existing user base rather than expand to other crypto audiences.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin responded by defending Steak ‘n Shake’s choice to stay aligned with one crypto community. He noted that brand identity is crucial and companies should cultivate loyalty with specific user groups. His comment suggested that expanding crypto acceptance might not always bring positive outcomes.
Brand Loyalty Reinforced with Bitcoin Theme
To affirm its pro-Bitcoin stance, Steak ‘n Shake announced a special product called the “Bitcoin Steakburger.” The burger will launch on October 16 to commemorate the brand’s launch of BTC payments. This move highlights the company’s effort to strengthen its ties with customers who support Bitcoin.
By focusing only on Bitcoin, Steak ‘n Shake aims to reinforce its image as a crypto-forward but Bitcoin-exclusive brand. The campaign also works to regain goodwill after the brief ETH poll controversy. It positions the company to attract more Bitcoin users who prioritize businesses that only accept BTC.
Steak ‘n Shake has now used Bitcoin integration as a unique selling point while avoiding wider crypto expansion. The brand’s approach appeals directly to a passionate user base. By stopping the Ether plan, it strengthens its connection to Bitcoiners, who now see it as a BTC-aligned chain.
