UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K


     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date  of  Report  (Date  of  earliest  event  reported)     November  5,  2004
                                                            ------------------

                            THE STEAK N SHAKE COMPANY
                            -------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               INDIANA                  000-08445             37-0684070
               -------                  ---------             ----------
         (State or other jurisdiction   (Commission          (IRS Employer
           of incorporation)             File Number)      Identification No.)

                     36 SOUTH PENNSYLVANIA STREET, SUITE 500
                           INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204
                           ---------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

Registrant's  telephone  number,  including  area  code     (317)  633-4100
                                                            ---------------

                                 NOT APPLICABLE
                                 --------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check  the  appropriate  box  below  if  the  Form  8-K  filing  is  intended to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following  provisions:

 Written  communications  pursuant  to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)

     Soliciting  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)

     Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
Exchange  Act  (17  CFR  240.14d-2(b))

     Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
Exchange  Act  (17  CFR  240.13e-4(c))





ITEM  1.01     ENTRY  INTO  A  MATERIAL  DEFINITIVE  AGREEMENT

     On  November  5,  2004,  Steak  n  Shake  Operations,  Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary  of  the Registrant ("SNS Operations"), entered into an Agreement and
Plan  of  Merger  (the  "Merger  Agreement")  with  Kelley Restaurants, Inc. the
Registrant's  largest  franchisee  ("KRI"),  and SNS Merger Corp, a wholly owned
subsidiary  of  SNS Operations ("Subcorp"), pursuant to which Subcorp will merge
with  and into KRI, with KRI being the surviving company (the "Merger").  If the
Merger  is  completed,  KRI  will  become  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  SNS
Operations.

     Pursuant  to  the  Merger Agreement, the shares of KRI common stock will be
converted  into  the  right  to  receive  cash  having  an  aggregate  value  of
approximately  $20.5  million  at closing, subject to adjustment.  The net value
transferred  at  closing is anticipated to be approximately $17.5 million, which
includes  adjustments  for debt repayment, working capital and other items.  SNS
Operations  will  deposit  ten  percent  (10%) of the adjusted purchase price in
escrow,  which  amount shall be held for up to 24 months from the closing of the
transaction.

     The Merger Agreement includes various customary representations, warranties
and  covenants of the parties for transactions of this kind.  The obligations of
the  parties  to  complete the Merger are subject to various closing conditions,
including,  without  limitation,  (i)  the  satisfactory  completion  of  the
Registrant's  due  diligence  review  of  KRI,  (ii)  the  final approval of the
Registrant's  Acquisition  Committee, (iii) the approval of the Merger Agreement
by  the  KRI  stockholders, and (iv) the execution of employment agreements with
certain  officers  of  KRI.

     As  indicated above, the consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon SNS
Operations  entering  into  employment  agreements  with  Wayne Kelley and Steve
McArthur,  the President and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of KRI.  Mr.
Kelley  serves  on  the  Board  of  Directors  for  both  the Registrant and SNS
Operations.  Pursuant  to  his  employment  agreement, Mr. Kelley would remain a
full-time  employee of KRI for a period of two years and sixteen weeks after the
date of the closing of the Merger.  During this time, Mr. Kelley will receive an
annual  salary  of $205,000 and shall be entitled to a bonus of $57,000 if he is
still  employed  at  the  end  of  the  employment period.  Under his employment
agreement, Mr. McArthur would remain a full-time employee of KRI for a period of
two  years.  During  this  time  Mr.  McArthur  will receive an annual salary of
$121,500  per year and shall be entitled to a bonus of $13,500 per year if he is
still  employed  at  the  end  of  each  of  the years in the employment period.

     The  proposed  merger  is  also  disclosed in the press release attached as
Exhibit  99.1  to  this  report  and  the  information  set  forth  therein  is
incorporated  herein  by  reference  and  constitutes  a  part  of  this report.

ITEM  2.02     RESULTS  OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION

     On November 10, 2004, The Steak n Shake Company (the "Registrant") reported
its  results of operations for its fiscal year 2004 fourth quarter and full year
results.  The  Registrant's earnings release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and the
information  set  forth  therein  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference  and
constitutes  a  part  of  this  report.

     The  Registrant  is  furnishing  the  information contained in this report,
including  the  Exhibits,  pursuant  to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K promulgated by the
Securities  and  Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  This information shall not be
deemed  to  be  "filed" with the SEC or incorporated by reference into any other
filing  with  the  SEC.  By  filing  this report on Form 8-K and furnishing this
information,  the  Registrant  makes  no  admission as to the materiality of any
information  in  this  report,  including  the  Exhibits.

ITEM  9.01     FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  AND  EXHIBITS

     (c)     Exhibits

     99.1     Press  Release, dated November 10, 2004, issued by the Registrant.




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to  the  requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has  duly  caused  this  report  to  be  signed on its behalf by the
undersigned  hereunto  duly  authorized.

                                   Dated:  November  10,  2004

                                   THE  STEAK  n  SHAKE  COMPANY


                                   By:_/s/ Jeffrey A. Blade_____________________
                                      Jeffrey A. Blade, Senior Vice President
                                      and Chief  Financial  Officer



Exhibit  99.1

THE STEAK N SHAKE COMPANY REPORTS FISCAL FOURTH QUARTER & FULL YEAR 2004 RESULTS

    FOURTH QUARTER SAME STORE SALES INCREASE 5.2%, FULL YEAR NET EARNINGS REACH
                             $1.00 PER DILUTED SHARE

                   COMPANY TO PURCHASE LARGEST FRANCHISE GROUP


     INDIANAPOLIS,  November  10,  2004 /PRNewswire -- The Steak n Shake Company
(NYSE:SNS)  today  announced  its  revenues  and  earnings for the fiscal fourth
quarter  and  full  year  ended  September  29,  2004.

Highlights  of  the  fourth  quarter  include:
----------------------------------------------

-     Total  revenues  increased  14.8%  to $144.8 million versus $126.1 million
-     Same  store  sales  for Company-owned restaurants rose 5.2% (excluding the
      impact  of  an  additional  week  in  fiscal  2004)
-     Diluted earnings per share were $0.28 compared to $0.13 (prior year period
      included  a  $3.4  million  charge,  net of tax, or $0.13 per diluted 
      share, for closing  nine  underperforming  restaurants)

Highlights  of  the  full  year  include:
-----------------------------------------

-     Total  revenues  increased  10.9%  to $553.7 million versus $499.1 million
-     Same  store  sales  for Company-owned restaurants rose 7.7% (excluding the
      impact  of  an  additional  week  in  fiscal  2004)
-     Diluted earnings per share were $1.00 compared to $0.77 (prior year period
      included  a  $3.4  million  charge,  net of tax, or $0.13 per diluted 
      share, for closing  nine  underperforming  restaurants)

FISCAL  FOURTH  QUARTER  2004  RESULTS
Total revenues for the fiscal fourth  quarter  2004 grew 14.8% to $144.8 million
compared to the same quarter last year.  The fiscal fourth quarter 2004 included
an  additional  week  compared  to  the  prior  year.  Same-store  sales  for
Company-owned  restaurants  during  the  fiscal  fourth  quarter increased 5.2%,
excluding  the  impact  of  the  extra  week.

Net  earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter 2004 were $7.6 million, or $0.28 per
diluted  share,  compared  to  $3.6  million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the
prior year period.  The prior year period included a $3.4 million charge, net of
taxes,  for  closing  nine  underperforming  restaurants.

Peter  Dunn,  President  and  Chief Executive Officer commented, "We are pleased
with  the  continued  progress we achieved in the fourth quarter, which reflects
the  outstanding  contributions  of  our  entire  team  in  a  less than optimal
operating  environment."

FISCAL  2004  RESULTS
For  the 53-week period ended September 29, 2004, total revenues increased 10.9%
to  $553.7 million, compared to $499.1 million in the prior year 52-week period.
Same-store  sales  for  Company-owned  restaurants  during fiscal 2004 increased
7.7%,  exclusive of the additional operating week.  Net earnings for fiscal 2004
were  $27.7  million,  or $1.00 per diluted share, compared to $20.9 million, or
$0.77  per  diluted share in fiscal 2003.  As noted above, the prior year period
included  a  $3.4 million charge, net of taxes, for closing nine underperforming
restaurants.   For  the  fiscal  year,  the  Company  opened 19 new restaurants,
including  three  franchised  units.

Mr.  Dunn  continued,  "Over the last two years, our focus on the Virtuous Cycle
has  enabled  us  to  lower  manager  and  associate  turnover,  increase  guest
satisfaction,  introduce successful new products, and generate strong same store
sales  gains.  During  fiscal  year  2005  we  will  continue  to  focus  on the
fundamentals  of  the  Virtuous Cycle while making critical investments in store
level  leadership  and  infrastructure.  This  will  lead  to  accelerated store
expansion,  that  should  support sustained earnings growth over the long-term."

As  of September 29, 2004, there were 425 Steak n Shake restaurants operating in
19  states,  including  365  Company-owned  restaurants and 60 franchised units.
During the quarter, the Company opened eight new restaurants, primarily in Ohio,
Indiana,  Illinois  and  Texas.

ACQUISITION  OF  LARGEST  FRANCHISEE

On  November  5,  2004, subsequent to the end of the 2004 fiscal fourth quarter,
the  Company  entered  into  an agreement to merge Kelley Restaurants, Inc., its
largest  franchisee,  into  one  of  the  Company's  subsidiaries  for  a  net
consideration of approximately $17.5 million.  Kelley Restaurants, Inc. operates
16  Steak  n  Shake  restaurants  in  the  Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North
Carolina  markets.  The  transaction  is subject to completion of due diligence,
Kelley  Restaurants,  Inc.  shareholder  approval, and other contingencies.  The
transaction  is  expected  to  close  by  the  end  of  December.  The  Company
anticipates  the  acquisition  will contribute diluted earnings per share in the
range  of  $0.01  to  $0.02  in  fiscal  2005.

Mr.  Dunn  concluded,  "Although  we  have  not  historically  grown  through
acquisition,  the  opportunity to purchase this high performing franchisee group
in  two  under-penetrated  markets  is  consistent  with  our intent to continue
expanding the Steak n Shake brand.  Steak n Shake has a loyal customer following
in  Atlanta  and  Charlotte.  We  plan  to build on the well-deserved reputation
Kelley Restaurants, Inc. has cultivated for the brand and expand our presence in
these  two  major  markets."

2005  GUIDANCE
For  the fiscal year 2005, the Company anticipates diluted earnings per share in
the range of $1.08-$1.11, inclusive of the acquisition.  Same store sales growth
is  expected  to  be  between  2%  -  3%.  As  previously announced, the Company
anticipates  opening  18-24 new Company-owned restaurants throughout fiscal year
2005.

INVESTOR  CONFERENCE  CALL  AND  WEBCAST
The  Steak n Shake Company will broadcast its investor conference call live over
the Internet at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 4:00 p.m. Central Time today, Wednesday,
November  10,  2004.  Hosting  the  call will be Peter Dunn, President and Chief
Executive  Officer,  and  Jeffrey  A.  Blade,  Senior  Vice  President and Chief
Financial  Officer.  Interested  investors  and  other  parties  may listen to a
simultaneous  webcast  of  the  conference  call  by  logging onto the Company's
website  at  www.steaknshake.com  or  by  dialing  1-877-297-4509.

ABOUT  STEAK  N  SHAKE
Steak n Shake is a full service, casual dining restaurant serving a core menu of
its  famous  Steakburger  sandwiches, thin 'n crispy french fries, old fashioned
hand-dipped  milk  shakes,  chili,  home style soups, fresh salads, a variety of
desserts  and  breakfast.  All  of the food is prepared to the guest's order and
served  by friendly, well-trained associates.  Steak n Shake restaurants feature
full-service dining areas, counter service and drive-thru windows and are open 
24 hours  a  day,  seven  days  a  week.

This  press  release  contains  forward-looking  information.  In  general,
forward-looking  statements  include  estimates  of future revenues, cash flows,
capital  expenditures,  or other financial items, and assumptions underlying any
of  the  foregoing.  Forward-looking  statements  reflect  management's  current
expectations  regarding  future  events  and  use  words  such  as "anticipate",
"believe",  "expect",  "may",  "will",  and  other  similar  terminology.  These
statements  speak  only  as  of  the date they were made and involve a number of
risks  and  uncertainties  that  could cause actual results to differ materially
from  those  expressed  in  forward-looking  statements.  Several  factors, many
beyond  our control, could cause actual results to differ significantly from our
expectations,  such  as  the  following: effectiveness of operating initiatives;
changes  in  economic  conditions;  effectiveness  of  advertising and marketing
initiatives;  harsh  weather  conditions,  primarily  in  the  first  and second
quarters;  availability  and  cost of qualified restaurant personnel; changes in
consumer  tastes;  changes  in  consumer behavior based on publicity or concerns
relating  to food safety or food-borne illnesses; effectiveness of our expansion
plans;  changes  in  minimum  wage  rates;  changes  in  food  commodity prices;
completion  of  merger  or  acquisitions  and  successful  integration  of those
transactions;  and changes in applicable accounting policies and practices.  The
foregoing list of important factors is not intended to be all-inclusive as other
general  market,  industry,  economic, and political factors may also impact our
operations.  Readers  are  cautioned  not  to  place  undue  reliance  on  our
forward-looking statements, as we assume no obligation to update forward-looking
statements.  For  further  information,  refer to the Company's Annual Report on
Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended  September  24,  2003.

Contact:  Jeffrey  A.  Blade
          Jeff.blade@steaknshake.com
          --------------------------
          www.steaknshake.com
          -------------------
          (317) 633-4100






                                              THE STEAK N SHAKE COMPANY
                                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                                (AMOUNTS IN $000'S, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)


                                                            THIRTEEN        TWELVE       FIFTY-THREE     FIFTY-TWO
                                                           WEEKS ENDED    WEEKS ENDED    WEEKS ENDED    WEEKS ENDED
                                                          -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                            9/29/2004      9/24/2003
                                                                                           
                                                           (UNAUDITED)    (UNAUDITED)     9/29/2004      9/24/2003 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------               
REVENUES
    Net sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $    143,576   $    125,109   $    549,130   $    495,277 
    Franchise fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1,226            999          4,562          3,827 
                                                          -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                               144,802        126,108        553,692        499,104 
                                                          -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------

COSTS AND EXPENSES
    Cost of sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        34,436         29,379        129,458        113,496 
    Restaurant operating costs . . . . . . . . . . . . .        70,527         62,052        270,057        245,524 
    General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10,341          8,628         42,364         37,909 
    Depreciation and amortization. . . . . . . . . . . .         6,077          5,799         24,710         24,170 
    Marketing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         6,339          4,721         23,106         18,856 
    Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,906          3,039         12,832         13,391 
    Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         2,226          2,001          8,912          8,309 
    Provision for store closings . . . . . . . . . . . .             0          5,200           (394)         5,200 
    Pre-opening costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           775            427          2,098          1,889 
    Other income, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (583)          (558)        (1,998)        (2,064)
                                                          -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                               133,044        120,688        511,145        466,680 
                                                          -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        11,758          5,420         42,547         32,424 

INCOME TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4,110          1,811         14,885         11,485 
                                                          -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------


NET EARNINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $      7,648   $      3,609   $     27,662   $     20,939 
                                                          =============  =============  =============  =============

NET EARNINGS PER COMMON AND
 COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE:
    Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $       0.28   $       0.13   $       1.01   $       0.78 
    Diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $       0.28   $       0.13   $       1.00   $       0.77 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
 AND EQUIVALENTS:
    Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    27,481,743     27,052,774     27,385,447     27,010,024 
    Diluted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    27,730,189     27,279,788     27,710,643     27,110,065 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION


                                                             9/29/2004      9/24/2003 
                                                          -------------  -------------                              
ASSETS
    Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $     45,400   $     39,256 
    Property and equipment - net . . . . . . . . . . . .       382,868        364,600 
    Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         5,195         10,780 
                                                          -------------  -------------                              

    Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $    433,463   $    414,636 
                                                          =============  =============                              

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $     58,940   $     61,795 
    Deferred income taxes and credits. . . . . . . . . .         3,407          2,898 
    Obligations under capital leases . . . . . . . . . .       141,972        145,125 
    Senior note. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         9,429         16,203 
    Shareholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       219,715        188,615 
                                                          -------------  -------------                              

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity . . . . .  $    433,463   $    414,636 
                                                          =============  =============