Steak ‘n Shake, an Indianapolis-based fast food chain, has made significant changes following a disappointing 2024. In January, the company announced that all its restaurants will now cook their french fries with beef tallow. This switch is reportedly based on consumer preferences and was in the works for some time.
While the ingredient change might seem unrelated to leadership changes, there’s an apparent connection. Steak ‘n Shake replaced its top executives amid poor performance last year. The company’s decision to adopt beef tallow for french fries has sparked debate, with some seeing it as a nod to right-wing politics and others viewing it as a genuine response to consumer demand.
The exact motivations behind the beef tallow switch are unclear, but Steak ‘n Shake claims it was a long-standing plan. Nevertheless, the timing of this change coincides with the recent leadership shake-up, leaving room for speculation about potential influences on the company’s decisions.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/03/13/steak-shake-maga-beef-tallow