Steak ‘n Shake sparks online debate with 21-cent bitcoin bonus for workers: ‘This is the way’

Steak ‘n Shake says it is giving its hourly employees a bitcoin bonus — a move the is touting as a first for the industry, and one thats drawing strong reactions online.

The company announced its plans Sunday in an X post.

“Starting March 1, ALL hourly employees earn a bitcoin bonus of 21 cents per hour!” the post read.

The chain added that it would also offer a $1,000 contribution to the Trump Accounts, which are set to launch on July 4.

Passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) last year, will provide $1,000 to every American child born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028.

“We aim to be a Maximum-Wage Employer in our respective communities,” Steak ‘n Shake’s post said. 

“We look to pay the best to obtain the best so we can give the best!”

The chain added, “We take care of our employees, who then take care of our customers, and the results take care of themselves!”

Fox News Digital reached out to Steak ‘n Shake for comment. 

The announcement drew praise from fans on X.

“Wow! Thank you so very much,” Virginia-based conservative activist Scott Presler wrote.

“That’s awesome! BTW, are too!” another commenter chimed in.

“This is the way. !” another person said.

Some other commenters, however, were skeptical. 

“This seems more like a publicity stunt than anything that’ll actually help,” one X user wrote. “Six dollars extra a week, folks!! You’re gonna … afford a cheeseburger.”

“It’s insulting you would even post about a $.21/hr raise,” another critic said. “Your burgers suck, by the way.” 

This latest move is one of many major changes that Steak ‘n Shake has made in the past year.

Just last month, the chain announced it would from its restaurants to “improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only.”

Months earlier, multiple Steak ‘n Shake restaurants began rolling out in an act of patriotism.

The company said that the displays were the “tallest and biggest American flag[s] that local governments will allow.”

“Steak ‘n Shake proudly supports American values and traditions,” the chain said at the time.