This Fan-Favorite Burger Chain Just Made a Game Changing Shift, and Fans Say It's 'Good For Business'

It’s no secret that the restaurant business is a constant struggle. And for legacy brands like Steak ‘n Shake, it can feel like their best years are already behind them. While years of experience can lend to a better understanding of the business, financial shortcomings and unexpected setbacks still plague the existence of some of the most popular restaurant chains in America.

In an attempt to shake up the status quo and improve upon one of its staple menu options, Steak ‘n Shake announced last week that its signature shoestring fries will now be cooked in beef tallow rather than vegetable oil. The decision comes at a time when Steak ‘n Shake could use a bit of a revival, as the brand has shuttered nearly 50 restaurant locations since 2022.

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“Our fries will now be cooked in an authentic way, 100% beef tallow, in order to achieve the highest quality and best taste,” chief supply chain officer for Steak ‘n Shake Chris Ward said.

Back when fries were first introduced to American cuisine, they were actually made with tallow, which resulted in a much tastier fry. Before 1990, even McDonald’s cooked their fries in beef tallow, eventually switching to vegetable oil in order to cut costs. The medical community at the time believed that vegetable oils contained heart-healthy fats while animal products like beef tallow contained harmful saturated fats.

LET'S FUCKING GO! "Steak n Shake to use 100% Beef Tallow. The consumer wants the best and deserves the best. By adopting 100% beef tallow, Steak n Shake is delivering the best fries possible." By March 2025, all locations will use tallow.
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u/Meatrition in
StopEatingSeedOils

What we know today is that beef tallow can be healthy so long as it is consumed in small amounts. It contains plenty of vital nutrients like vitamins A, D, E and K as well. So when a company is choosing between cooking with vegetable oil or beef tallow, it makes sense to go with the tastier option as it doesn’t matter which way fries are cooked, they are already best enjoyed in moderation.

Related: This Iconic Sandwich Chain Just Filed for Bankruptcy—Here’s What’s Happening

Chief global development officer for Steak ‘n Shake, Kristen Briede, states, “The consumer wants the best and deserves the best. By adopting 100% beef tallow, Steak ‘n Shake is delivering the best fries possible.”

When news of the change hit the web, fans took to Reddit to express their feelings on the matter. “Smart way to gain competitive edge in the crowded fast food sector. Better for customer health and good for business. Hopefully others follow,” one insightful commenter wrote. Another, who was disappointed to find out not a single Steak ‘n Shake remained open in their vicinity wrote, “Wow, I tried to find the closest one to me and they’re all permanently closed. Shoot. Here’s hoping more restaurants follow suit.”

All remaining Steak ‘n Shake locations are expected to transition to using 100-percent all-natural beef tallow by the end of February 2025. And to echo the sentiments of those disappointed customers who no longer have an open location near them, we too hope to see other restaurants follow in Steak ‘n Shakes footsteps in an attempt to improve upon their product. 

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