US Fast-Food Chain Steak ’n Shake Announces Bitcoin Bonuses to Employees, but It Didn’t Go as Planned
US fast-food chain Steak ’n Shake announced a plan to pay hourly employees a Bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked, starting March 2026. The bonus, managed via Bitcoin wallet app Fold, is part of the company’s broader crypto strategy, which includes accepting Bitcoin payments and building a corporate Bitcoin treasury. However, the announcement faced significant backlash due to the small payout amount, a two-year vesting period, and exposure to Bitcoin’s volatility for low-wage workers. Critics highlighted that the bonus amounts to only about $1.68 per eight-hour shift and questioned its practicality amid rising living costs. The timing of the announcement—coinciding with a Bitcoin price drop—further fueled online mockery and criticism, framing the initiative as more of a marketing stunt than a meaningful employee benefit.
ccn.com01/21 08:24
