Introduction to Steak ‘n Shake
Over a double cheeseburger and fries, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Fox News host Sean Hannity earlier this month of his plans to improve the country’s health by incentivizing companies to step away from processed foods.
From across the red high-top table of a Florida Steak ’n Shake, the health and human services secretary went on to praise the Indianapolis-based fast-food chain as a shining example of change since it began cooking its shoestring fries in beef tallow instead of one of the many seed oils that have become targets of Kennedy’s health agenda.
“Steak ’n Shake has been great,” Kennedy said. “We’re very grateful to them for RFK’ing the french fries.”
The Rise of Steak ‘n Shake as a MAHA Darling
The nationally televised praise marked the latest conservative endorsement for Steak ’n Shake, a 91-year-old company with 450 locations nationwide that has become one of the most high-profile businesses to support Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda — a move that has been boosted by Republican politicians and MAGA influencers including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Charlie Kirk, Laura Loomer, Kari Lake, Tony Shaffer and Benny Johnson.
“I just had a cheeseburger and fries cooked in beef tallow today for lunch! Delicious!!” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wrote on X.
Alignment with Conservative Figures
At a time when many companies might be looking to avoid politics, Steak ’n Shake is opting to publicly align itself with Kennedy and other high-profile conservatives. On social media, the brand has transformed its feed from the usual steam of burgers and shakes into a near nonstop stream of Trump-adjacent iconography: Elon Musk, Teslas, Fox News clips and even a red hat emblazoned with the words “Make Frying Oil Tallow Again,” a version of which is available for purchase on Kennedy’s MAHA merchandise website.
The Company’s Stance
The company has not publicly embraced Trump or any of his policies but has been full-throated in its embrace of Kennedy.
“We support MAHA,” Steak ’n Shake Chief Operations Officer Dan Edwards told NBC News last week. “Restaurant chains like ours would like to meet customer demand for better quality.”
Response to Criticism
Edwards said support for the company is “across the political spectrum” and that “there is nothing political about great-tasting fries.” He did not answer specifically whether the company had any fears about alienating customers who do not support Kennedy’s MAHA agenda or Trump.
Health Implications and Controversies
Politics aside, Steak ’n Shake’s choice to focus on seed oils comes with its own controversy.
The MAHA agenda, helmed by Kennedy, features several health-focused concerns of questionable veracity, including skepticism of the food and drug industry, fluoride in water and vaccines. Seed oils have also long been a target of unfounded theories about negative health impacts, some of which Kenney has touted, calling them “one of the most unhealthy ingredients we have in foods.”
Expert Opinions
Health experts have sought to counter those claims, noting that replacing seed oils with saturated fats offers little to no dietary benefit and can end up doing harm.
Maya Vadiveloo, an associate professor at the University of Rhode Island who specializes in nutrition, said it is “well established that saturated fats are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, while vegetable oils, including oils from seeds, protect heart health.”
Conclusion
Steak ’n Shake’s shift towards supporting the MAHA agenda and its sudden embrace of conservative iconography on social media mark a significant change in the company’s public image. While the move has garnered support from conservative figures, it also raises questions about the potential alienation of customers who do not align with these views and the health implications of replacing seed oils with beef tallow.
FAQs
- Q: What is the MAHA agenda, and how does it relate to Steak ’n Shake?
A: The MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) agenda, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., focuses on improving the country’s health by incentivizing companies to move away from processed foods and certain ingredients like seed oils. Steak ’n Shake has become a supporter of this agenda by changing its fry cooking oil to beef tallow. - Q: Why has Steak ’n Shake aligned itself with conservative figures and the MAHA agenda?
A: Steak ’n Shake has chosen to publicly support the MAHA agenda and conservative figures as part of its strategy to meet customer demand for better quality and to embrace a change in its public identity. - Q: What are the health implications of Steak ’n Shake’s decision to use beef tallow instead of seed oils?
A: Health experts argue that replacing seed oils with saturated fats like beef tallow offers little to no dietary benefit and can increase the risk of heart disease, as saturated fats are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, while vegetable oils protect heart health.
