During a recent meeting at a Florida Steak ’n Shake, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared with Fox News host Sean Hannity his strategy to enhance the nation’s health by encouraging companies to move away from processed foods. Kennedy commended the Indianapolis-based fast-food chain for switching to beef tallow in place of seed oils for their fries. This endorsement on national television marked Steak ’n Shake as a prominent supporter of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, gaining recognition from various conservative figures. Despite potential political implications, Steak ’n Shake has boldly aligned itself with Kennedy and other conservative influencers, showcasing its support on social media through imagery associated with Trump and Kennedy’s agenda. The company’s Chief Operations Officer expressed a commitment to meeting customer demand for higher-quality food, emphasizing that the decision is not about politics but about providing delicious options. Despite facing financial challenges in recent years, Steak ’n Shake’s public shift towards promoting beef tallow over seed oils has sparked debate within the health community, with experts cautioning against unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of saturated fats over seed oils.
A nutrition expert from the University of Rhode Island stated that there is a well-established connection between saturated fats and heart disease risk, while oils from seeds, such as vegetable oils, are beneficial for heart health. The expert mentioned that the CEO of Steak ‘n Shake, Sardar Biglari, has been considering shifting to beef tallow, as he questioned why Europeans have better fries than Americans. The company expressed support for Kennedy’s MAHA movement, with the goal to improve the quality of their fries in a process called “RFKing the fries.”
Regarding the company’s social media posts, they are sometimes aspirational and reference space or Mars. The company has mentioned NASA and Musk/SpaceX as key players in the field, regardless of political affiliations. Tesla announced a partnership with Steak ‘n Shake to install charging stations at their locations, following praise from Elon Musk about their fries. Discussions between Tesla and Steak ‘n Shake had begun over 18 months ago.
Although the transition to healthier oils hasn’t been seamless for Steak ‘n Shake, there has been a push from the MAHA community to scrutinize the company’s food practices. It was revealed that some of the foods were prefried in seed oils before arriving at the locations. In response, Steak ‘n Shake is committed to removing seed oils entirely, aligning with Kennedy’s advocacy.
While details about the interview between Hannity and Kennedy were not disclosed, it was mentioned that Sean Hannity has a strong understanding of the restaurant industry, and the company was honored by his visit.
