Ever wondered who’s behind those mouth-watering chicken fingers that have taken America by storm? Let me tell you the incredible story of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and the remarkable entrepreneur who brought this fast-food phenomenon to life,
The Man Behind the Brand: Todd Bartlett Graves
Todd Bartlett Graves, born in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana is the founder, owner and CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. What started as a college dream has transformed into one of America’s fastest-growing restaurant chains with over 925 locations across 40+ states and international markets.
According to Forbes, Todd Graves’ net worth is estimated at a staggering $17.2 billion as of April 2025, making him the 116th wealthiest person globally and the 107th richest American on the 2024 Forbes 400 List. He’s currently the wealthiest resident in Louisiana.
But Graves’ success didn’t happen overnight. In fact, his journey is a textbook example of persistence in the face of rejection.
The Journey: From College Rejection to Restaurant Success
The Business Plan That Got an “F”
While attending the University of Georgia, where he studied telecommunications with a business minor, Graves and his childhood friend Craig Silvey developed a business plan for a restaurant that would exclusively serve chicken fingers. They called it “Folly’s Fingers of LSU.”
When they submitted this business plan for a class assignment, it received the lowest grade in the class. The professor argued that a restaurant serving only chicken fingers in southern Louisiana (known for its Cajun food) would never succeed. The professor noted that the industry was trending toward variety, with salad and grilled options becoming more popular.
Raising Capital the Hard Way
Undeterred by this rejection, Graves and Silvey approached banks for loans. Again, they were met with skepticism due to their lack of experience and the single-item concept. After numerous rejections, Graves decided to raise the capital himself.
What followed was truly extraordinary:
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Los Angeles Refinery Work: Graves headed to Los Angeles, where he worked 90-hour weeks as a boilermaker at the Chevron refinery in El Segundo. His colleagues nicknamed him “Hollywood” and were the first to believe in his restaurant plan.
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Alaskan Commercial Fishing: Following a tip from a fellow boilermaker named Wild Bill Tolar, Graves traveled to Alaska. After hitchhiking to Naknek and camping on the frozen tundra (surviving on Pork-N-Beans!), he convinced a captain to hire him as a commercial sockeye salmon fisherman. The work was brutal, with 20-hour days during peak season.
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Short Refinery Jobs: After Alaska, Graves took brief refinery jobs in Denver and Hawaii before returning to Baton Rouge with $50,000 saved.
Securing Final Investment
With $50,000 in hand but knowing it wasn’t enough, Graves managed to raise an additional $90,000 in subordinated debt from friends, including some boilermaker colleagues. He also secured a $50,000 SBA loan from Source Capital.
The Birth of Raising Cane’s
What’s in a Name?
Initially, Graves considered naming the restaurant “Sockeye’s” after the salmon he caught in Alaska to fund his dream. However, he ultimately decided to name it after his beloved yellow Labrador Retriever, Raising Cane, who often visited the construction site as the restaurant was being built.
To this day, Cane serves as the mascot for all restaurants. The current mascot, Cane III, lives with Graves in Baton Rouge.
Opening Night
On August 28, 1996, Graves opened the first Raising Cane’s location (affectionately known as “The Mothership”) across from the North Gates of Louisiana State University. Due to technical difficulties with the cash register, the doors didn’t open until 9:30 p.m. that night.
Graves was so committed to making his restaurant work that he left his apartment window open at night so he could hear if the restaurant got busy and rush down to help his crew.
The Parting of Ways
In 1999, shortly after opening the second location, Craig Silvey left the business to pursue a career outside the restaurant industry, leaving Graves as the sole owner.
The Success Formula
What’s the secret behind Raising Cane’s remarkable success? According to Graves, it’s an obsessive focus on just one thing – serving the highest quality chicken finger meals.
The restaurant 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. Graves insists on premium ingredients and hands-on preparation, with fresh chicken hand-battered and sauces made daily.
The signature Cane’s Sauce is so popular that it’s been named the #1 most craveable sauce in the restaurant industry!
Growth and Expansion
Today, Raising Cane’s is one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in America. The company has:
- Over 925 restaurants across 40+ states and international markets
- Plans to open more than 100 new restaurants across several new markets in 2025
- Announced plans to become one of the top 10 restaurant brands in the United States
Leadership Structure
While Graves is the founder and owner, the leadership structure has evolved:
- Todd Graves refers to himself as “CEO, Fry Cook, and Cashier of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers”
- Since 2018, Graves has shared the co-CEO title with AJ Kumaran, the chain’s chief operating officer
Personal Life
In 2000, Graves married Gwen Drain, a McDonald’s franchisee whom he had known since high school. They have two children and reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with their yellow Labrador, Raising Cane III.
Beyond Chicken Fingers: Graves’ Other Ventures
In 2024, Graves joined ABC’s Shark Tank for season 16 as a “Guest Shark,” appearing alongside other judges including Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, and Daniel Lubetzky.
Regarding his appearance on the show, Graves said, “As a long-time viewer and fan of the show, I’m excited to bring my restaurant and business experience to entrepreneurs and help guide them as they build their brands. At my core, I love business and helping people succeed; and at the end of the day, it’s not about what you make, it’s about what you give. I know how it feels when someone takes a chance on you and it changes your life, and I’m looking forward to doing that on the show.”
An Avid Collector
Graves is known for his interesting collections:
- He owns Will Ferrell’s original Elf suit from the movie Elf (which is displayed during the holidays at Raising Cane’s Global Flagship in Times Square)
- He has loaned a 66-million-year-old triceratops skull to the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum
- He has also loaned the hearse that carried Martin Luther King Jr. to exhibits across the country
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Todd Graves a billionaire?
Yes, Todd Graves is a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $17.2 billion according to Forbes.
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.
Is Raising Cane’s privately owned?
Yes, Raising Cane’s is privately owned, with Todd Graves and management retaining full control over the company’s operations.
The Takeaway: Lessons from Todd Graves’ Success
Todd Graves’ journey from a college student with a rejected business plan to a billionaire restaurateur offers several inspiring lessons:
- Believe in your vision even when others don’t
- Be willing to work incredibly hard to achieve your dreams
- Focus on doing one thing exceptionally well rather than many things adequately
- Stay hands-on with your business, even as it grows
- Maintain a conservative financial approach to ensure long-term stability
So next time you’re enjoying those delicious chicken fingers from Raising Cane’s, remember the incredible story of persistence, hard work, and unwavering belief that made it all possible. Todd Graves didn’t just create a successful restaurant chain – he proved that sometimes the best business ideas are the ones that experts reject!
