The Mystery Of Steak ‘N Shake’s Alternate Logo

I'll admit it's been several years since I enjoyed Steak 'N Shake so I was a little surprised to see a different style Steak 'N Shake logo on my fry carton when I popped in to get a Double Steakburger, some fries, and a vanilla coke.

Take a look at the logo on the fry carton, which is the logo on the medium drink cups that the Steak 'N Shake here in Sedalia is using too.

As I mentioned, it has been a few years since I ate at a Steak 'N Shake, so it surprised me. The logo vaguely reminded me of Shake Shack, a burger stand that started in a New York park and has grown to 262 U.S. locations and 141 international stores. Here's their logo.

Maybe it's just me, but there does seem to be a vague resemblance.

I decided to do some internet research about Steak 'N Shake's different logo but didn't have any luck finding anything out.

I did run into a couple of blog posts talking about the similarities between a black-and-white round Shake Shack logo and the classic Steak 'N Shake logo we're all familiar with. Here are the two logos side by side.

Eater New York's readers noticed the similarity in the logos, however, the designer of the Shake Shack logos denied the logos for Shake Shack were an homage to the Steak 'N Shake logo because the typography has nothing in common.

The unnamed designer from Pentagram, who designed the Shake Shack logo says that the logo was only going to be used in the interior on cups, paper, packaging, and menu boards. It wouldn't be extended to the brand's signage on Shake Shack's exterior. The designer goes on to say, " Saying it's a rip-off of the Steak 'N Shake logo is like saying a hot dog is just like a hamburger because they're both in a bun".

Really? I'm sorry, maybe it's not an homage to Steak 'N Shake. Maybe the intent isn't there to rip off Steak 'N Shake's logo. However, for those of us who don't have a degree in design, and aren't constantly comparing fonts, logotypes, or anything else -- the similarities are blatantly apparent.

Perhaps Steak 'N Shake noticed the similarities and decided if Shake Shack is going to rip their classic logo off and put it on cups, paper, and packaging, then maybe Steak 'N Shake should play the same game and design a Shake Shack-like logo to put on their cups, fry cartons, and the like.

Surprisingly, outside of the Eater New York blog that noticed the similarity between the two logos, the interwebs haven't shed any light on Steak 'N Shake's alternate Shake Shack-like logo.

I know one thing, my Double Steakburger was hot, fresh, and delicious. I can't say the same about the overpriced Shake Shack Burger I got in Vegas. That did not live up to the hype.