# Advice Line with Todd Graves of Raising Cane's

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-12-25
- Length: 50m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-12-25-advice-line-with-todd-graves-of-raising-canes

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-12-25-advice-line-with-todd-graves-of-raising-canes#t=0) Introduction: Todd Graves and Raising Cane's Growth
- [9:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-12-25-advice-line-with-todd-graves-of-raising-canes#t=561) Whiskey Morning Coffee: Franchise vs. Corporate Drive-Thrus
- [25:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-12-25-advice-line-with-todd-graves-of-raising-canes#t=1504) Midwest Pasta Company: Financing Without Equity or Traditional Loans
- [37:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-12-25-advice-line-with-todd-graves-of-raising-canes#t=2226) Vesty: Brick-and-Mortar Expansion vs. Retail Partnerships
- [48:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-12-25-advice-line-with-todd-graves-of-raising-canes#t=2932) Final Advice: Progress Over Perfection

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

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

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- [#66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-10-25-66-sharing-is-caring-how-alison-cayne-havens-kitchen-share-cooking-confidence-an) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [From Hand Sanitizer to Tomato Sauce - How Sauz Went From 10 Doors to 3,500 in a Year](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-29-from-hand-sanitizer-to-tomato-sauce-how-sauz-went-from-10-doors-to-3-500-in-a-ye) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [085: Scaling Your Product Up After Crowdfunding](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-07-21-085-scaling-your-product-up-after-crowdfunding) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Feature: Cason Crane of Explorer Cold Brew](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-11-22-founder-feature-cason-crane-of-explorer-cold-brew) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

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