Steak ‘n Shake allegedly installs anti-theft QR readers for their fountain soda machines — sparking calls for boycott

Your next refill may come with an extra step. Steak ‘n Shake customers are spotting QR codes at the soda machines. In a video reshared on X by @McFranchisee — the original TikTok was posted by @scottiferr — the video shows a customer pushing the dispenser and nothing coming out. That is until they scan a QR code near the machine. Once scanned, the diner pushes the soda dispensers to a flow of sugary goodness. The poster scanning their QR code to use the soda machine @Scottiferr/TikTok While the original TikTok was dropped back in 2024, Steak ‘n Shake recently commented on the post from @McFranchisee confirming the controversial tech, and throwing some snarky shade to its rivals. “We have a system that limits each regular beverage to a very generous 40-ounce serving (excluding ice) so we ca