Steakburgers and Milk Shakes, 1940s: Steak 'n Shake was founded in 1934 in Normal, Illinois.

Steakburgers and Milk Shakes, 1940s: Steak 'n Shake was founded in 1934 in Normal, Illinois. Gus Belt, the founder of Steak n Shake, was a quality restaurateur who owned a restaurant/gas station called Shell's Chicken. Central Illinois had plenty of chicken and beer restaurants so Gus soon realized he needed to be unique and different. With a little help from his friends, he started Steak n Shake in February of 1934.