Steak ’n Shake Ditches Microwaves in Major Kitchen Overhaul: Here’s the Reason Behind the Move

Walk into a fast-food kitchen and you might expect to hear the familiar hum of a microwave. At Steak ’n Shake, that sound is about to disappear.

The Indianapolis-based chain announced that every one of its restaurants will remove microwaves by April 15. In a social media post, the company wrote, “Quality restaurants don’t need microwaves,” adding that the change is part of its effort to “improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only. Eat Real Food.”

For a chain known for steakburgers and milkshakes, the move feels symbolic. Microwaves are common in both homes and commercial kitchens. But Steak ’n Shake says it wants to return to more traditional cooking methods, even if that means rethinking how food is prepared behind the counter

Why Remove Microwaves Now?

According to USA TODAY, the company confirmed that all locations are expected to be microwave-free by mid-April. The announcement is framed as part of a broader “journey” to raise standards and focus on cooking methods that feel less industrial.

Microwaves themselves are not new or unusual. The USDA notes that microwave ovens are widely used in American homes and can cook food safely when proper temperatures are reached. The FDA also regulates microwave ovens and states that they are safe when manufactured and used correctly.

Still, perception matters. While microwaves are efficient and common in the food industry for tasks like thawing and pasteurization, some consumers associate them with reheated or processed meals. By removing them, Steak ’n Shake appears to be sending a message about freshness and cooking from scratch rather than relying on quick reheating.

Part of a Bigger Health Shift

This decision did not happen in isolation. Over the past year, Steak ’n Shake has made several high-profile changes to its menu and kitchen practices. In early 2025, the company switched from seed oils to beef tallow for frying its food, saying it wanted to improve quality and taste.

The move aligned the brand with the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative supported by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has publicly encouraged restaurants to prioritize whole and minimally processed foods. Steak ’n Shake openly embraced that message in its posts.

However, not everyone agrees with all of these changes. Kristina Cooke, a licensed nutritionist and registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told USA TODAY she would not recommend swapping seed oils for beef tallow, noting that saturated fats can raise cholesterol and contribute to heart-related conditions when consumed in excess. In other words, while the company frames its overhaul as a health-forward shift, nutrition experts continue to debate the details.

What This Means for Customers

For customers, the most immediate question is simple: will the food taste different? Steak ’n Shake argues that traditional cooking methods produce better results. Chris Ward, the company’s chief supply chain officer, previously said that switching to beef tallow would help deliver the “highest quality and best taste”. Removing microwaves fits into that same theme.

At the same time, microwaves are not inherently unsafe. Federal agencies emphasize that when used properly, microwave ovens cook food effectively and do not make it “radioactive”. In fact, microwave cooking can be energy efficient and preserve nutrients because food heats quickly. The difference, then, may be more about branding and kitchen philosophy than about safety.

Even so, the decision reflects a broader shift in fast food. More chains are responding to consumer interest in transparency and simpler ingredient lists. By removing microwaves from nearly 390 restaurants nationwide, Steak ’n Shake is betting that customers will value the idea of food cooked using grills, fryers and stovetops instead of quick reheating. Whether that translates into stronger loyalty remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the chain wants to be seen as cooking for real, not just heating.