Steak 'n Shake facts for kids
Logo since 2011
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Trade name
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Steak 'n Shake |
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Food |
| Founded | February 1934 Normal, Illinois, U.S. |
| Founder | Augustus Hamilton "Gus" Belt |
| Headquarters | , |
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Number of locations
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426 (2024) |
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Area served
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United States France Italy Portugal Monaco |
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Key people
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Phillip Cooley |
| Products | Steakburgers, milk shakes |
| Services | Restaurants |
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Number of employees
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20,732 |
| Parent | Biglari Holdings |
Steak 'n Shake is a popular American fast-food chain. It is famous for its burgers and delicious hand-dipped milkshakes. The company started in the Midwestern United States but now has locations across the country and in parts of Western Europe.
Steak 'n Shake's main office is in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is part of a larger company called Biglari Holdings. Their well-known slogan, "Famous for Steakburgers," highlights their most popular food item. The "steak" in the name comes from how their burgers are made. Most restaurants have a drive-thru for quick service, along with places to eat inside.
In 2018, there were 628 Steak 'n Shake restaurants. Many of these were owned by the company, and some were run by other people as franchises. The company has been working to have more of its restaurants run by franchise partners. By the end of 2024, Steak 'n Shake had 426 locations in 26 states and Washington, D.C.
Contents
The Story of Steak 'n Shake
How it All Started
Steak 'n Shake was founded by A. H. "Gus" Belt in February 1934. He opened the first restaurant in Normal, Illinois. Before that, Gus owned a gas station and a chicken restaurant. He decided to change it into a hamburger stand.
Gus Belt had a special way to show customers how fresh his burgers were. His slogan was "In Sight, It Must Be Right." He would bring a barrel of T-bone, sirloin, and round steaks into the dining area. Then, he would grind the meat into burgers right in front of everyone. This helped customers trust that the "Steakburgers" were made from real, good quality meat. Later, the company made sure their Steakburgers were still made from these ingredients at their own special kitchen. The cooking area in the restaurants also stayed "in sight" for customers to see.
After becoming successful, Gus Belt bought other restaurants and turned them into Steak 'n Shake locations. He also added "curb service," where staff would bring food to cars. The very first Steak 'n Shake building was damaged by a fire in the 1960s. It was repaired and made bigger.
After Gus Belt's Time
Steak 'n Shake kept growing in Illinois after Gus Belt passed away in 1954. His wife, Edith, managed the chain until 1969. Over the years, the company was owned by different groups. In 1971, the main office moved from Normal, Illinois, to Indianapolis.
In 1981, a company called E. W. Kelley and Associates bought Steak 'n Shake. E. W. "Ed" Kelley led the restaurant chain for many years until 2003.
Steak 'n Shake Today
In 2008, a businessman named Sardar Biglari took charge of Steak 'n Shake. The company had been losing money, but he helped turn things around. He made the menu simpler, focusing on burgers, fries, and milkshakes.
In 2018, Steak 'n Shake changed its business plan. It started to turn its company-owned restaurants into "franchise partner" locations. This means that people can pay a small fee to run an existing Steak 'n Shake restaurant. In return, they share the profits with the company.
In 2021, Steak 'n Shake decided to become more of a fast-food restaurant. They added self-serve kiosks where customers can place their own orders. This helps make service faster and reduces costs. The goal is for customers to easily order and pick up their food.
In February 2025, Steak 'n Shake announced that its fries would be made with 100% beef tallow. This change was praised by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a US Health and Human Services Secretary. In May 2025, Steak 'n Shake also announced that it would start accepting Bitcoin as payment at all its U.S. locations.
Where You Can Find Steak 'n Shake
The first Steak 'n Shake in Indiana opened in Indianapolis in 1954. It was a drive-in restaurant where you could get food brought to your car. At that time, Steak 'n Shake had locations in five states.
A special Steak 'n Shake building in Springfield, Missouri, built in 1962, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical building.
Over the years, Steak 'n Shake has opened and sometimes closed locations in many different states. For example, they opened in North Carolina in 1996 and Oklahoma in 2004. They also expanded to states like Texas, Nevada, Louisiana, and Colorado.
In January 2012, Steak 'n Shake opened its first and only location in New York City. It was next to the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the Late Show with David Letterman was filmed. David Letterman, who is from Indiana and loved Steak 'n Shake, often talked about it on his show. This location closed in 2017.
Steak 'n Shake also opened in California in 2014, with locations in places like Victorville and Santa Monica. They tried to expand in Northern California but faced some delays.
The first Steak 'n Shake in the Pacific Northwest opened in Seattle in 2016 but closed after four years. In 2019, a location opened inside the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., serving members of Congress and the public.
Steak 'n Shake Around the World
Steak 'n Shake has also tried to expand outside the United States. In 2013, they opened an office in Monte Carlo, Monaco, to help with growth in other countries.
In West Asia
In 2012, Steak 'n Shake planned to open many locations in the United Arab Emirates. The first one opened in Dubai in 2013, but it closed quickly. Only two locations ever opened there, and both closed by 2015.
The company also planned to open restaurants in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. A location opened in Kuwait in 2014 but closed a few years later. By 2025, there are no Steak 'n Shake restaurants operating in West Asia.
In Europe
The first two European Steak 'n Shake restaurants opened in Cannes, France, and on the island of Ibiza in Spain in 2014.
Steak 'n Shake has opened many locations in France. By June 2025, there were several restaurants across the country, including in Marseille and Bordeaux.
Locations also opened in Italy, with the first one in Milan in 2015. By June 2025, there were four locations in Italy. In Portugal, the first restaurant opened in 2016. By June 2025, Portugal also had four locations.
Steak 'n Shake opened its only location in the United Kingdom in 2016, in Chester, England. However, this restaurant closed in 2018. In August 2020, the first Steak 'n Shake opened in the Principality of Monaco.
Sponsorships
Steak 'n Shake has supported sports teams. In 2010, they became a sponsor for the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever, which are professional basketball teams.
In 2015, Steak 'n Shake sponsored an Indy car for the first time. This car was driven by Graham Rahal in races like the Indianapolis 500.
See also
- List of hamburger restaurants
