The figure, confirmed by parent company Biglari Holdings, stands out in an industry where competitors such as McDonald’s, Domino’s, and Taco Bell posted results ranging from negative 7.1% to positive 6.1%. 

Part of the company’s performance has been linked to its recent decision to accept Bitcoin Bitcoin

btc

-0.42%

Bitcoin as a payment option, a move introduced on May 16, across outlets in the U.S., France, Monaco, and Spain.

According to Chief Operating Officer Dan Edwards, Bitcoin transactions reduced processing fees by roughly 50% within just two weeks of launch. 

On the day the service went live, the chain accounted for about 0.2% of all Bitcoin transactions globally. Edwards described the integration as beneficial for customers, the business, and the broader Bitcoin network.

The company’s footprint has contracted over the past several years, with U.S. store numbers declining from 628 in 2018 to around 397 in May 2025. 

Even so, the introduction of Bitcoin payments now extends to a customer base exceeding 100 million people across multiple countries.

Lessons and parallels from other retail adopters

The idea of integrating Bitcoin into retail payments is not new, though the outcomes have varied widely across sectors. 

Overstock.com was among the earliest major adopters, beginning to accept Bitcoin in January 2014. The move generated more than $126,000 in sales during the first 22 hours, equal to a 4.33% lift in daily revenue. 

That initial surge did not hold, as crypto sales soon accounted for less than 1% of daily revenue, citing the challenge of sustaining early enthusiasm over the long term.

In 2015, Rakuten added Bitcoin payments across its global marketplaces following an investment in a payments technology startup. 

The company framed the decision as a step toward positioning itself as a forward-looking platform, though its direct effect on sales was not disclosed. 

Luxury and fashion retailers have approached the opportunity differently, often using crypto payments and blockchain-related tools such as NFTs to build brand engagement.