# Raising Cane's: Todd Graves (2022)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-01-06
- Length: 1h 21m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022

## Summary

Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane's, explains how he built a $3 billion fast-food chain by focusing exclusively on four items: chicken fingers, crinkle-cut 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 majority ownership rather than franchise, and the financial risks of leveraging debt during rapid expansion.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022#t=0) Introduction: Todd Graves and Raising Cane's
- [5:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022#t=349) Early Life and Restaurant Inspiration
- [14:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022#t=857) Developing the Business Plan and Menu Concept
- [31:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022#t=1870) Bank Rejections and Dangerous Fundraising Jobs
- [46:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022#t=2787) Opening the First Restaurant and Naming the Brand
- [57:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022#t=3452) Scaling to Two Locations and Partner Departure
- [1:05:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022#t=3900) Expansion, Franchising, and Financial Leverage
- [1:16:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-06-raising-canes-todd-graves-2022#t=4569) Maintaining Focus and Future Growth

## 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

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)
- 5 Guys (company)
- KFC (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Office Depot (company)
- Louisiana State University (company)
- University of Georgia (company)
- Cane Sauce (product)
- Texas Toast (product)
- Chicken Fingers (product)
- Crinkle-cut Fries (product)
- Coleslaw (product)

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- [#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)

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