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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Area served
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United States Southwestern Europe Middle East |
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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 restaurant chain. It's known for its tasty burgers, called "Steakburgers," and delicious hand-dipped milkshakes. You can find these restaurants mostly in the Midwestern United States, but also in other parts of the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.
The company's main office is in Indianapolis, Indiana. Steak 'n Shake is part of a bigger company called Biglari Holdings. In 2018, there were 628 Steak 'n Shake restaurants. Many locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The company's famous slogan is "Famous for Steakburgers."
Contents
The Story of Steak 'n Shake
Steak 'n Shake was started by A. H. "Gus" Belt in February 1934. He opened his first restaurant in Normal, Illinois. Before this, Gus owned a gas station and a chicken restaurant. He decided to change it into a place that served hamburgers.
Why "Steakburger"?
Gus Belt wanted customers to know his burgers were made from good meat. His slogan was "In Sight, It Must Be Right." He used to bring a barrel of T-bone, sirloin, and round steaks right into the dining area. Then, he would grind the meat into burgers in front of everyone! This showed customers that the "Steakburgers" were truly made from quality steak. It helped people trust the food they were eating.
After his first restaurant was a hit, Gus bought more restaurants. He turned them into Steak 'n Shake locations and even added "curb service." This meant you could order and eat in your car!
The very first Steak 'n Shake building was damaged by a fire in the 1960s. But it was fixed up and made bigger. Later, the building was sold to another restaurant company.
Changes Over the Years
Steak 'n Shake kept growing after Gus Belt passed away in 1954. Gus's wife, Edith, managed the chain for many years. Over time, the company was owned by different groups. In the 1970s, the main office moved from Normal, Illinois, to Indianapolis.
In 2008, a businessman named Sardar Biglari took over Steak 'n Shake. He helped the company improve by focusing on its most popular items: burgers, fries, and milkshakes. He made the menu much simpler.
Later, Steak 'n Shake changed its business plan. It started to turn many of 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. They then share the profits with the company.
Where You Can Find Steak 'n Shake
Steak 'n Shake restaurants are found in many places across the United States. The first one in Indiana opened in Indianapolis in 1954. It was a drive-in restaurant where you could get food delivered to your car.
A special Steak 'n Shake in Springfield, Missouri, built in 1962, is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical building!
Over the years, Steak 'n Shake has opened in many new states. These include North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Nevada, Louisiana, Colorado, Arizona, California, Maryland, Delaware, and Nebraska.
In 2012, a Steak 'n Shake opened in Manhattan, New York. It was next to the TV studio where David Letterman filmed his show. He was a big fan of Steak 'n Shake and often talked about it. This location closed in 2017.
Some locations have opened and closed over time, like in Wisconsin and Montana. But the company continues to open new spots, including one in Washington, D.C. in 2019, which serves people working in the government.
Steak 'n Shake Around the World
Steak 'n Shake has also expanded outside the United States! In 2013, the company opened an office in Monte Carlo, Monaco. This office helps with opening restaurants in West Asia and Europe.
West Asia
The first international Steak 'n Shake opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2013. The company also planned to open many restaurants in Saudi Arabia. The first location in Kuwait opened in 2014, and in Qatar in 2017.
Europe
The first two European locations opened in Cannes, France, and on the island of Ibiza in Spain in 2014. Since then, more restaurants have opened in other French cities like Marseille and Bordeaux.
Steak 'n Shake also opened its first restaurant in Italy in Milan in 2015. A location in Portugal opened in 2016, and the first restaurant in the United Kingdom opened in Chester, England, in 2016.
See also
- List of hamburger restaurants
