Steak 'n Shake reveals new Chief MAHA Officer position

Kate Perez, USA TODAYTue, April 21, 2026 at 7:53 PM UTC

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Fast-food chain Steak 'n Shake is deepening its alignment with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr's "Make America Healthy Again" efforts with a new position at their company — Chief MAHA Officer.

The company announced that Michael Boes, a developer of the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and past senior adviser within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, will be taking up the position. The job is described as "a new executive role dedicated to advancing nutritional integrity, ingredient transparency, and the long-term health of Steak n Shake customers," in a news release shared with USA TODAY.

“Appointing a Chief MAHA Officer is a sign of our continued commitment to make Steak 'n Shake the great differentiator in fast food. Michael is ideally suited for such a role, with his deep understanding of nutrition and his experience at the highest level of health policymaking,” Sardar Biglari, chairman and CEO of Biglari Holdings, the owner of Steak 'n Shake, said in the release. “To put it simply, good-tasting food should also be good for you.”

The new role marks the latest move by the company to revamp itself, including switching from seed oils to beef tallow for cooking last March; offering customers Coca-Cola soda with cane sugar in glass bottles in August; and installing the "tallest and biggest American flag that local governments will allow" at each location.

More news: Steak 'n Shake removing microwaves from its restaurants. Here's why.

What is the Steak 'n Shake Chief MAHA Officer position?

According to the restaurant's news release, the new position aligns with the company's effort "to restore the original spirit of American fast food" and "champion healthy fast food."

As Chief MAHA Officer, Boes will oversee and lead a review of Steak 'n Shake's ingredient sourcing, nutritional standards and preparation practices, the release states.

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“Customers should never have to choose between taste and health,” Boes said in the release. “When restaurants commit to both, they serve better food and they build lasting trust.”

What other recent changes has Steak 'n Shake made?

Additionally, the company announced in February its decision to remove all microwaves from franchise locations by April, writing in an online post that "quality restaurants don't need microwaves."

"It is part of our journey to improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only," the chain wrote. "Eat Real Food."

Prior to that, Steak 'n Shake announced the switch from seed oils to beef tallow in March 2025, saying in a social media post, "Steak 'n Shake is proud to support MAHA and Secretary Kennedy! Your days are numbered seed oil. We want to lead the way and make a difference! #MAHA." Kennedy Jr. thanked the restaurant for its "leadership in the crusade to Make America Healthy Again."

Along with Coca-Cola soda with cane sugar in glass bottles, the restaurant has given some of its other products a patriotic sheen. Throughout January, Steak 'n Shake celebrated America's 250th anniversary, or semiquincentennial, with a "Patriot Milkshake" for just $2.50.

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on X @katecperez_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steak 'n Shake adds new Chief MAHA Officer position to company

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