Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers has become one of the most popular quick-service restaurant chains in the United States, with over 600 locations across the country. But who is the mastermind behind this finger lickin’ good concept?
The founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s is Todd Graves a Louisiana native with a life-long entrepreneurial spirit. His journey to building a fast food empire is an inspiring tale of passion perseverance, and calculated risk-taking.
The Origin Story
In the early 1990s, Todd Graves was a college student at Louisiana State University. For a business class project, Todd decided to develop a business plan for a restaurant concept that only served chicken fingers. His professor harshly critiqued the idea and gave Todd a bad grade, insisting that a restaurant so limited in its menu could never succeed.
But Todd was undeterred in his belief that a chicken finger specialty restaurant could work. After college he took extreme measures to raise the capital needed to turn his dream into reality. Todd worked 90-hour weeks at an oil refinery in Los Angeles. He then went to Alaska for a grueling month of commercial salmon fishing enduring 20-hour work days in harsh conditions.
In 1996, with his hard-earned money combined with a small business loan, Todd Graves opened the first Raising Cane’s restaurant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana near the LSU campus. The tiny location only had room for a few tables and a walk-up counter, but customers loved the food. On opening night, Todd stood outside waving people in until 3:30 am!
Scaling Up Through Recessions and Natural Disasters
The first Raising Cane’s was a hit, but expanding the concept into a real restaurant chain required major capital investments. Todd made the risky decision to take out high-interest loans from private investors, using that leverage to secure larger bank loans. This left the young company heavily in debt just as they looked to grow.
The aggressive growth plan was threatened when Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana, forcing 21 out of 28 Raising Cane’s locations in Baton Rouge to close temporarily. But the resilience of the Raising Cane’s crew and Todd’s unwavering commitment got the restaurants back up and running quicker than expected. Raising Cane’s survived the crisis and continued expanding nationwide.
Today, Raising Cane’s has over 600 locations across 31 states and the Middle East. The company now has a much more conservative debt load, with Todd limiting borrowing to keep the debt ratio below 3 times the company’s earnings. This gives Raising Cane’s a secure financial footing for the future.
The Secret Behind Raising Cane’s Success
So what sets Raising Cane’s apart in the crowded fast food market? Todd attributes the success to an obsessive focus on just one thing – serving the highest quality chicken finger meals.
Raising Cane’s has a streamlined menu, eliminating other proteins and complex combo meals. Customers know exactly what to expect – juicy chicken fingers cooked fresh to order with crinkle cut fries and creamy coleslaw. Todd insists on premium ingredients and hands-on preparation, with fresh chicken hand-battered and sauces made daily.
This laser-focus on delivering excellent chicken finger meals has earned Raising Cane’s a cult-like following. The signature Cane’s sauce is so popular that people buy it by the bottle!
Still Hands-On After All These Years
Remarkably, Todd Graves remains deeply involved in Raising Cane’s operations even after growing it into a major corporation with over 25,000 employees. He works closely with franchise partners to ensure quality and service standards. Todd is also the public face of the brand, regularly interacting with customers on social media and making TV appearances.
Todd Graves is clearly proud of building Raising Cane’s from scratch into an admired brand. But he credits the hard working crew members in the restaurants for making his dream a reality. Todd’s continued hands-on leadership ensures Raising Cane’s sticks to its roots, providing the top-notch chicken finger meals he imagined back in college.
So next time you sink your teeth into a perfect chicken finger from Raising Cane’s, remember the tenacious entrepreneur who turned his crazy idea into a finger lickin’ success!
With enough seed money, he returned to Louisiana to build Raising Cane’s.
Graves originally planned to call the restaurant “Sockeyes,” a nod to his time in Alaska. Upon a friends advice, he decided to name the restaurant after his beloved yellow Labrador retriever, Cane. The dog was a frequent visitor to the construction site where he worked.
Graves and Silvey opened the first Raising Canes restaurant on August 28, 1996, inside a renovated building at the entrance of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. However, due to issues with the cash registers, the restaurant didnt officially open for business until after 9 p.m.
Graves took to the streets to wave in customers, and the restaurant stayed open until 3:30 a.m.
Silvey left the company in 1999, CNBC reported.
Todd Graves, the founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s, is one of the 400 richest people in the US.
Graves is the wealthiest resident in Louisiana and the 107th richest person in the United States, Forbes reported in 2024.
He refers to himself as “CEO, Fry Cook, and Cashier of Raising Canes Chicken Fingers.”
Graves and AJ Kumaran, the chains chief operating officer, have shared the co-CEO title since 2018.
The Little-Known Truth Behind Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
FAQ
Who is the owner of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers?
| Todd Graves | |
|---|---|
| Born | Todd Bartlett Graves 1972 (age 52–53) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Education | University of Georgia (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, restaurateur |
| Office | Co-founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers |
Is Todd Graves a billionaire?
Yes, Todd Graves, the founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, is a billionaire. Forbes estimates his net worth at $17.2 billion, according to Wikipedia.
Who owns the Raising Cane’s franchise?
Raising Cane’s is owned by its founder, Todd Graves. He started the company in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and remains actively involved in its operations and expansion.
What rapper owns Raising Cane’s?
While Raising Cane’s is owned by Todd Graves, rapper Post Malone has a close partnership with the company and even designed his own unique Raising Cane’s restaurant in Midvale, Utah, according to Raising Cane’s and other sources.
Who owns Raising Cane’s chicken fingers?
In conclusion, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is owned by Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers LLC, but it owes its success to the vision and dedication of Todd Graves, the company’s founder and CEO. With a commitment to quality, simplicity, and excellent service, Raising Cane’s has become a beloved fast-food chain with a loyal following.
Who started Raising Cane’s chicken fingers?
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers was established in 1996 by Todd Graves and Craig Silvey in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 2. What motivated Todd Graves to start Raising Cane’s? Todd Graves, an LSU graduate and avid chicken finger enthusiast, came up with the idea for Raising Cane’s while still in college.
Who owns Raising Cane’s?
However, behind this culinary success story lies a visionary leader who has guided the company to unparalleled heights. The mastermind behind Raising Cane’s is Todd Graves, who co-founded the restaurant chain with his business partner, Craig Silvey.
Who started Raising Cane’s?
Todd Graves, an LSU graduate and avid chicken finger enthusiast, came up with the idea for Raising Cane’s while still in college. He wrote a business plan for a restaurant focused solely on serving high-quality chicken finger meals.
Is Raising Cane’s a fast food restaurant?
Raising Cane’s is a popular fast-food restaurant chain that specializes in serving delicious chicken finger meals. The company was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by Todd Graves and Craig Silvey.
Is Raising Cane’s owned by Todd Graves?
No, Raising Cane’s is privately owned, with Todd Graves and management retaining full control over the company’s operations. 8. Has Raising Cane’s received any awards or recognition? Yes, Raising Cane’s has received several accolades over the years.