Steak ‘n Shake Announces New MAHA Change to the Menu

In the latest win for the MAHA movement, fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake is upgrading their soft drinks.

Starting on August 7th, all locations will serve Dr. Pepper and Sprite made with 100% cane sugar instead of corn syrup.

Of course, this comes after Steak ‘n Shake famously started frying their french fries in beef tallow last year.

The restaurant franchise announced the upcoming switch-up on X:

Steak n Shake will now serve 100% cane sugar Dr. Pepper and Sprite starting on August 7.

It is our mission to serve our loyal guests the best and most natural ingredients possible.

We are pushing our national suppliers to get this done. Americans deserve quality. 🇺🇸

— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) July 26, 2026

Steak ‘n Shake already serves Coca-Cola made with real cane sugar — sometimes called Mexican Coke — at their locations.

While no soda is healthy per se, cane sugar is a far healthier option than corn syrup.

Plus, if you’ve ever tried soda with real cane sugar, you know it tastes infinitely better.

Folks on social media are largely praising the move:

I’m never eating at any other fast food joint ever again after all the right moves your company has made these past few months!!!

— Nick P (@BrawlinInRevrse) July 26, 2026

Good to see a chain actually move toward cleaner ingredients.

— Craig Brockie (@CraigBrockie) July 26, 2026

I am beyond impressed with your enterprise. Seriously. keep up the good work.

— Colin Elliott (@ProfCPE) July 26, 2026

While customers are widely happy with the ingredient swap to real sugar, Steak ‘n Shake also recently made another, more controversial change to their fountain drinks.

Some locations have apparently implemented a system requiring customers to scan a QR code on their receipt in order to limit how many refills they can get at the soda fountain.

A video showing the new process is going viral online:

I don’t eat at Steak ‘n Shake very often (their transparency and ownership have always been a little weird to me), but a new controversy I just read about is pretty silly.

During remodels, they may add a QR code scanner for soft drink refills. Basically, you scan proof of… pic.twitter.com/MwtTpzfGMT

— McFranchisee (@McFranchisee) July 20, 2026

Reportedly, this is to stop customers from stealing.

The New York Post reported:

Steak ‘n Shake claims the move is for keeping costs low as the chain has to account for the syrup plus carbonated water and CO2. The Big Lead revealed that sodas cost the all-American fast food chain roughly 20 cents.

Typically, fast food joints will then mark up the soda price anywhere between 800% and 1,100% as its fountain drinks are one of the most profitable menu items. And while it may be convenient for the chain, customers fear it’s just another way for companies to get a quick cash grab.

But, the change has some customers unhappy: