Steak ’n Shake, the 91-year-old fast food chain, is a bitcoiner – or a “Steaktoshi.” The home of the classic steakburger followed through on its May 8 social media announcement, accepting bitcoin payments at its 393 US locations as of May 16. "The movement is just beginning," the company wrote on X. It now joins a growing list of industry rivals, including Chipotle and Subway, hopping on the crypto bandwagon.
But it also signals another shift: Going MAGA.
Steak ’n Shake Goes MAGA (or MAHA)
Since the global financial crisis, Steak ’n Shake has leaped over hurdles, hit roadblocks, and treaded water. The last two decades have resulted in many ebbs, flows, peaks, and valleys for the quick-service restaurant. Over the last several years, the company’s mixed performance has forced it to transform the brand in 2025, which might entail establishing a presence in MAGA country.
In January, Steak ’n Shake announced it was changing how it makes its famous shoestring fries. The company was shifting away from seed oils – one of the main enemies in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement – and embracing natural beef tallow.
"Our fries will now be cooked in an authentic way, 100% beef tallow, in order to achieve the highest quality and best taste," said Chris Ward, chief supply chain officer for Steak ’n Shake. Kristen Briede, the chief global development officer, says this practice will be the greatest strategy to deliver "the best fries possible."
What’s wrong with seed oils, and why is beef tallow the superior cooking option? "Beef tallow is healthier than vegetable and seed oil alternatives," wrote John Klar, a national correspondent for Liberty Nation News. He adds:
"Beef tallow contains as much as 40-50% heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. With high amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) found only in animal ruminants, it has been shown to reduce obesity. Grass-fed cows contain higher levels of CLA and beneficial Omega-3 fats than grain-fed options. Tallow contains essential vitamins and aids in their absorption. It metabolizes slowly in the body, increasing energy levels. Tallow may help in hormone regulation, boost immune function, is anti-inflammatory, improves brain health, and may balance blood sugar and improve heart health. Beef tallow was thus making a healthy comeback well before corporate lackeys could use Kennedy to try to discredit it and is now touted as beneficial by the Mayo Clinic."
The move, meanwhile, received high-profile attention from prominent Republicans, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "Steak ’n Shake has been great. We're very grateful to them for RFK'ing the French fries. They turned me into a verb," Kennedy Jr. told Fox News host Sean Hannity.
GOP lawmakers and conservative media personalities later endorsed the food. “I just had a cheeseburger and fries cooked in beef tallow today for lunch! Delicious!!” said Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on X. "Make Beef Tallow Great Again," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) stated on the social media platform. "This is awesome," wrote Benny Johnson.
This was not the end of Steak ’n Shake's partnership with residents and businesses of MAGA country.
Tesla Collaboration
Soon after President Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term, with the help of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, Tesla Motors metastasized into a toxic brand. It was not because the company had produced inferior products, whether electric vehicles or Optimus robots. It was probably because leftists pulled out their blue hair any time they saw a Tesla car that reminded them of Trump’s 2024 election victory.
But while left-leaning individuals likely initiated attacks on Tesla vehicles, chargers, and showrooms, Steak ’n Shake chose to take a physical and financial risk and collaborate with the EV maker.
Shortly after a February exchange with Musk on X, Tesla announced it would partner with the fast-food giant. The automaker has started deploying Superchargers at more than 100 restaurants, approximately one-quarter of the fast-food operator’s locations worldwide. Last month, Steak ’n Shake hosted an event at one of its establishments, providing demo drives to the public. "Our franchise partner decided to throw a party earlier today," the burger and fries joint said on X. "Too much winning!"
Eating Beef Tallow on Mars
What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago, corporate America wanted nothing to do with President Trump and embraced progressive issues. Today, Wall Street executives are openly meeting with the real estate billionaire mogul, appearing in press events, and dismantling remnants of leftist dogma within their organizations. While it is more likely that corporate leaders are playing the game and laying low for the next few years rather than embracing MAGA philosophy, the seismic shift in political discourse has been stunning.
When Elon Musk sends humans – or Optimus robots – to Mars, it will be done using SpaceX rockets. Earthlings will then drive Cybertrucks on the red planet, employ Superchargers for energy, rely on Starlink for communication, and eat Steak ’n Shake beef tallow fries. Make Mars Great Again!
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