Steak ’n Shake Announces Biggest America Move Local Governments Will Allow

Steak ’n Shake said Saturday it has started installing large American flags at its restaurants across the country, announcing the rollout on X and framing the effort as support for “American values and traditions.”

The Indianapolis-based burger chain shared a photo of employees beneath one of the flags and said it plans to add the tallest flags allowed by local rules at each location.

“The flag installations have begun at Steak ‘n Shake,” the company posted to X.

“Every Steak ’n Shake is getting the tallest and biggest American flag that local governments will allow! Steak ‘n Shake proudly supports American values and traditions.”

The flag installations have begun at Steak n Shake.

Every Steak n Shake is getting the tallest and biggest American flag that local governments will allow!

Steak n Shake proudly supports American values and traditions. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/w19csgwy5H

— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) October 4, 2025

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As of Sunday afternoon, the post had more than 5,000,000 views.

The announcement drew broad customer reaction on social media. “Your marketing team deserves a raise!” one X user wrote.

“If you’re looking for new customers, you’re doing it right!” another wrote.

A third said, “Looks like I’ll be eating more Steak ‘n Shake,” adding, “Thank you for being pro America.”

Other comments included, “Quickly becoming my favorite restaurant,” “You are becoming iconic…very very quickly! Thank you Steak ‘n Shake,” and “My first job as a 16 year old. Couldn’t be more proud. Awesome!”

Founded in 1934, Steak ’n Shake operates in states including Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois, and Ohio.

The company did not publish a detailed installation schedule for the flags but indicated the program is intended for all locations, subject to local approvals.

Saturday’s post follows a series of brand statements this year in which the company has emphasized heritage themes.

In August, Steak ’n Shake criticized Cracker Barrel after that chain’s logo change, which Cracker Barrel later reversed.

“Heritage is what got Cracker Barrel this far, and now the CEO wants to just scrape it all away,” Steak ‘n Shake posted to X in August.

“At Steak ‘n Shake, we take pride in our history, our families, and American values. All are welcome. We will never market ourselves away from our past in a cheap effort to gain the approval of trend seekers.”

Sometimes, people want to change things just to put their own personality on things. At CB, their goal is to just delete the personality altogether. Hence, the elimination of the “old-timer” from the signage. Heritage is what got Cracker Barrel this far, and now the CEO wants to… pic.twitter.com/Aoml8ZOfuT

— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) August 21, 2025

The company has also publicized menu and preparation changes.

Earlier this year it announced a transition away from seed oils to beef tallow for cooking and said the change was rolling out location by location.

The move drew attention from public officials and customers. “Tallow Fries now in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma,” Steak ‘n Shake posted to X in February.

“By March 1 ALL locations. Fries will be RFK’d!”

Tallow Fries now in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma

By March 1 ALL locations. Fries will be RFK’d! pic.twitter.com/m3pVaulppW

— Steak ‘n Shake (@SteaknShake) February 25, 2025

The company said the switch was intended to standardize preparation practices across its stores.

Saturday’s announcement framed the flag installations as part of a broader effort to lean into themes of tradition at the restaurant level while highlighting support from customers in multiple markets.

The company shared imagery showing staff members standing beneath a large flag and indicated that each store would pursue the maximum flag height permissible in its jurisdiction.

Steak ’n Shake did not release information on the number of flags installed to date or identify specific store locations where the first installations took place.

The chain said the effort applies systemwide and that location teams will coordinate with local authorities on permitting and compliance.

The company also did not specify costs associated with the installations or whether the flags would be accompanied by additional signage.

Customer reactions posted Saturday and into the evening continued to focus on brand identity and the restaurant’s long history.

Some commenters referenced family ties to the chain and first jobs at local stores, while others pointed to plans to visit more often after the company’s announcement.

The company did not respond publicly to individual questions about installation timelines or whether stores would hold events tied to the displays.

The restaurant said it would continue using its social media accounts to share updates as individual locations complete their installations.

The posts indicate the program will be ongoing as stores work through permitting and hardware setup.

The company maintained that the displays reflect its stated support for “American values and traditions” and are designed to be consistent with local rules in each city or county where it operates.