Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey made headlines in 2025 by purchasing $100 worth of fries at Steak ‘n Shake using the Bitcoin Lightning Network. The transaction, totaling 96,173 satoshis (sats), showcased Bitcoin’s potential as a fast, scalable payment method for everyday purchases.
The Viral Transaction
Dorsey shared the details in a social media post titled "full circle", which quickly garnered 330,000+ views. The post included:
- A photo of the fries.
- The QR code payment screen.
- A receipt confirming the Bitcoin-settled transaction.
The receipt notably stated: "All Bitcoin transactions are final."
Why It Matters
- Speed & Cost Efficiency: The Lightning Network enabled instant settlement, avoiding high fees tied to traditional credit cards.
- Adoption Milestone: This mirrors Satoshi Nakamoto’s original vision of Bitcoin as peer-to-peer digital cash.
- Nostalgia: Bitcoin enthusiasts compared it to Bitcoin Pizza Day (2010), when 10,000 BTC bought two pizzas—now worth ~$1 billion.
👉 Discover how Bitcoin adoption is reshaping payments
Steak ‘n Shake’s Bitcoin Initiative
The burger chain rolled out Bitcoin payments chain-wide on May 16, 2025. According to executive Dan Edwards:
- Bitcoin transactions are 50% cheaper than credit card processing.
- The company is exploring futuristic integrations like drones and robo-taxis for deliveries.
Community Reactions
Bitcoiners flooded social media with mixed responses:
- "96173 sats?!?! Those are some expensive fries." — @meerkatmaxi
- "$100? What did you buy…the restaurant?" — @OwlGuy4
- "Pretty cool. How long did the transaction take?" — @AlanKepper
Skeptics joked that Dorsey might’ve created his own "Bitcoin Fry Day"—a nod to the infamous Pizza Day.
FAQs
Q: How does the Lightning Network improve Bitcoin payments?
A: It enables instant, low-fee transactions by processing them off-chain before settling on Bitcoin’s main blockchain.
Q: What’s the significance of Satoshis (sats)?
A: 1 sat = 0.00000001 BTC, making them ideal for micropayments like fast-food orders.
Q: Could other restaurants adopt Bitcoin payments?
A: Yes! As fees drop and scalability improves, more merchants may follow Steak ‘n Shake’s lead.