Steak 'n Shake Removes Microwaves From All Restaurants

The fast food chain claims the move is to 'improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only'.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Steak 'n Shake, a popular fast food restaurant chain with nearly 400 locations across the U.S., has announced that it will be removing all microwaves from its restaurants by April 15. The company stated that this change is part of its 'journey to improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only.' The announcement has sparked a mix of reactions on social media, with some customers questioning the chain's past use of microwaves and the authenticity of the move, while others welcomed the change.

Why it matters

The removal of microwaves from Steak 'n Shake's kitchens is a significant shift in the fast food industry, where convenience and cost-efficiency have often taken priority over food quality. This move by Steak 'n Shake could set a precedent for other chains to re-evaluate their reliance on microwaves and focus more on traditional cooking methods, potentially leading to improvements in the overall quality of fast food.

The details

According to the announcement, Steak 'n Shake will be removing all microwaves from its restaurants by April 15. The chain claims this is part of its effort to 'improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only.' Some customers questioned what exactly the chain had been microwaving in the past, with a former kitchen manager revealing that microwaves were used for items like mac and cheese, chili dishes, some burger prep, and breakfast prep.

  • Steak 'n Shake announced the change on February 12, 2026.
  • The chain expects all of its restaurants to be microwave-free by April 15, 2026.

The players

Steak 'n Shake

A fast food restaurant chain with nearly 400 locations across the United States.

Former Steak 'n Shake Kitchen Manager

A former employee who revealed that microwaves were used for items like mac and cheese, chili dishes, some burger prep, and breakfast prep at the Steak 'n Shake location where they worked.

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What’s next

The announcement has sparked discussion about whether the move is a genuine effort to improve food quality or a marketing stunt. It remains to be seen how the change will impact Steak 'n Shake's operations and customer experience.

The takeaway

Steak 'n Shake's decision to remove microwaves from its restaurants represents a shift in the fast food industry towards a greater emphasis on food quality and traditional cooking methods. This move could inspire other chains to re-evaluate their reliance on convenience-focused technologies and prioritize the use of more authentic, high-quality ingredients and preparation techniques.