A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a first plurality of fuel cells each having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte disposed therebetween, the first plurality of fuel cells being communicated with a source of hydrogen-containing fuel and oxidant so as to generate an electric current, an oxidant exhaust stream and a hydrogen-containing exhaust stream; the stack further having a second plurality of fuel cells each having an anode, a counter electrode and an electrolyte disposed therebetween, the second plurality of fuel cells being communicated with the electric current and the hydrogen-containing exhaust stream so as to produce a hydrogen rich stream, the first plurality of fuel cells being communicated with the second plurality of fuel cells to receive the hydrogen rich stream as at least a portion of the source of hydrogen-containing fuel.