Hardware Podcasts

Advice Line with Todd Graves of Raising Cane's

How I Built This · 25 Dec 2025 · 50m

What this episode covers

Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane's, joins Guy Raz to advise three early-stage founders on scaling decisions. He counsels Evan Sledge of Whiskey Morning Coffee on whether to franchise or build corporate-owned drive-thrus, David Berweister of Midwest Pasta Company on securing non-traditional financing despite a poor credit history, and Shane Lyons of Vesty on whether to open a brick-and-mortar location or focus on their existing retail partnerships. Graves emphasizes consistency, unit economics, and staying focused on core competencies rather than chasing 'shiny objects' like new product lines or real estate investments.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Raising Cane's, Whiskey Morning Coffee, Midwest Pasta Company, Vesty, KFC, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, Dave's Hot Chicken, Trader Joe's, Dutch Brothers, Starbucks, Al Shaya Company, TCU, Amazon, Alfred Coffee, Stacy's Pita Chips
Also
CIA, Nick's Yolkini, Drew Nipont, David Chang, Daniel Boulud

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