# Raising Cane's: Todd Graves

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-04-25
- Length: 1h 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves

## Summary

Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane's, explains how he built a $3 billion fast-food chain by focusing exclusively on chicken fingers, fries, Texas toast, and coleslaw. After being rejected by every bank in Baton Rouge, Graves funded his first location by working dangerous jobs as a boilermaker in oil refineries and a commercial fisherman in Alaska. He details the operational challenges of scaling from one to two locations, the decision to retain corporate ownership rather than franchise, and the financial risks of aggressive leverage during rapid expansion.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves#t=0) Introduction: Todd Graves and Raising Cane's
- [5:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves#t=313) Early Life and Restaurant Inspiration
- [13:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves#t=822) Developing the Business Plan and Menu
- [36:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves#t=2193) Funding the First Restaurant: Refineries and Alaska
- [47:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves#t=2868) Opening the First Location and Early Operations
- [56:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves#t=3419) Scaling to Two Locations and Partner Departure
- [1:05:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves#t=3937) Expansion, Franchising, and Financial Strategy
- [1:16:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-25-raising-canes-todd-graves#t=4608) Lessons on Focus, Leverage, and Longevity

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Raising Cane's (company)
- Chick-fil-A (company)
- In-N-Out Burger (company)
- Popeyes (company)
- McDonald's (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Cane Sauce (product)
- Texas Toast (product)

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- [Founder Feature: Sean Knecht of Tantos!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-08-founder-feature-sean-knecht-of-tantos) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#115 Pure Gold Series: Lessons on Iterating from Seth Goldman + Updates on Eat the Change & Just Ice Tea](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-11-21-115-pure-gold-series-lessons-on-iterating-from-seth-goldman-updates-on-eat-the-c) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#212 - King of Sauce: How Eric Skae Has Grown Carbone Fine Food into a $100M+ Brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-09-02-212-king-of-sauce-how-eric-skae-has-grown-carbone-fine-food-into-a-100m-brand) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Jesse Konig, CEO & Co-Founder of Jesse & Ben's](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-02-28-founder-fundraising-journey-jesse-konig-ceo-co-founder-of-jesse-bens) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

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