Steak 'n Shake, a regional fast-food chain, has initiated a significant menu overhaul, transitioning to 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef across all locations by June 1. This move makes it the only American burger joint to exclusively serve this type of beef. This change is part of a broader strategy to align with the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) priorities, an initiative championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The company's commitment to the MAHA agenda also includes other changes, such as the elimination of seed oils in favor of beef tallow for frying in March 2025, the introduction of cane sugar Coca-Cola in glass bottles, and the removal of all microwaves from its franchise locations. Steak 'n Shake even created a new executive role, Chief "MAHA" Officer, appointing Michael Boes to lead these efforts. Boes emphasized that the changes aim to offer better-tasting, healthier food, harkening back to a perceived "food environment 50, 60 years ago."
Despite these health-focused initiatives, the transition raises questions about potential price increases. Grass-fed beef typically commands a 20% to 40% retail premium over conventional grain-finished beef. With ground beef prices hitting $6.90 per pound in April, a 15% year-over-year increase, and a projected 12.1% climb in beef and veal prices across 2026, the cost implications for Steak 'n Shake customers are significant. The company has not yet confirmed whether menu prices will increase, leaving budget-conscious customers to wonder if they will bear the cost of these premium ingredients.
