From humble beginnings to beloved worldwide recognition, the remarkable story of Raising Cane’s is a tale of success worth dipping into time and time again.
Owner and founder Todd Graves’ dared to dream big with a determined vision to simply feed people good food. It came true and the reality three decades later became the culinary empire that he built known as the best place on the planet for Craveable Chicken Finger Meals. And now the hard work has paid off in the ultimate way.
Miles and miles of walking in shoes that took him on an a long and winding entrepreneurial journey has now in 2026 led to his footsteps being cemented in a dedication form of a pop-up museum that celebrates a 30th birthday. Worthy of framing it, Graves’ life can now be seen on the walls of an institution that helps the visitor understand that hard work and ethical principles never fail those willing to risk it all in the name of success.
(“The Mothership” – Courtesy Raising Cane’s)
On Aug. 25, guests traveled from near and far to dedicate the moment to the businessman and his family who have equally contributed not only to feeding folks delicious meals, but also uplifted a workforce of thousands and developed values in communities across America.
Gathering at the original Raising Cane’s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana known as “The Mothership” the likes of Keith Lee, Elie Ayrouth of Foodbeast, Daniel Mac and Greg Remmey and Rebecca Leigh West-Remmey of DEVOURPOWER were in attendance for a toast to the world that Graves built. Duff Goldman of Charm City Cakes, who made a cake for the party that he drove from across the country to be there, elevated the day with a sweet tribute presentation.
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 25: Raising Cane’s Owner and Founder Todd Graves Celebrates Brand’s 30th Birthday and Unveils New Pop-Up Museum Near “The Mothership” Restaurant in Baton Rouge on August 25, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s)
Then 100 steps away the road led to a delicious treat with the doors of the 30th Birthday Pop-Up Museum swinging wide open at 132 E. State Street. Touring the history pages come to life, the building that once housed a young Graves at the start of his culinary career hosted a vision of historic photos, memorabilia and actual artifacts including his original business plan and briefcase, the hard hat he wore working 90-hour weeks as a boilermaker and original blueprints from “The Mothership.”
Beaming with prideful joy, Graves led a tour that showcased the past as well as a display of a Cane III statue, 3D modeled off of Cane III’s exact body and stature and the original disco ball Graves hung inside “The Mothership” to cover a skylight, which was a decorating decision that became a signature design element still found in Cane’s today. Visitors who embark on this adventure as the day hosted, will also be able to witness outside “The Margaret Mae” – the actual 1979 boat Graves worked aboard fishing sockeye salmon in Alaska to help earn the money he needed to fund his restaurant dream.
(The boat Graves worked on – Courtesy Raising Cane’s)
Upstairs, Caniacs can step even further back in time with a guided tour of Graves’ restored Apartment No. 4, the small second-floor apartment overlooking “The Mothership” where he lived and Cane’s earliest Restaurant Support Office operated. Graves even moved his bed into the living room so he could see the drive-thru from his window and jump in alongside his Crew whenever things got busy.
Inspirational, the halls of this once home are a book of lessons on how to never give up and always reach for the stars. With such an important message being shared, the day became even more poignant with the reveal of honoring the 30th birthday of Cane’s by the restaurant committing $30 million over the next 10 years to pet welfare organizations, supporting pets and the communities that love them.
Graves is taking that commitment even further through the Todd Graves Family Foundation with a personal $20 million pledge to Re:wild, the wildlife conservation and preservation organization founded by his good friend Leonardo DiCaprio. Together, the commitments total $50 million in support of pet welfare, wildlife and animals, giving Cane’s 30th birthday an impact designed to last well beyond the celebration.
“I feel like we’re just getting warmed up. I look forward to doing exactly what we’re doing now which is growing and having great customers and great crew members,” Graves told reporters on the day. “On top of that, we are way more involved with active community involvement.
Speaking on everything from business tips for young and hopeful business students to the pride he has in his entire family working for the business including wife Gwen and two children Sophia and Charlie, the room was left enamored. Fueled by passion and ethics of never leaving behind the team, his 30th was an anniversary deserving of applause. Evident in his words met by action, it was just a small part of the recipe in the secret sauce to make the world a better place one chicken finger bite at a time.
“I want to look at you in 30 years more and be able to give back billions to the community,” stated Graves. “I think God made me good at chicken fingers to help people. Really, that’s my purpose. And that’s why I get up in the morning early. That’s why I work late and continue to go and work with great people… It’s pretty exciting when you start in your lifetime 30 years ago and really are looking forward to to achieving that next milestone and then going on further on for another 30 years. And then beyond.”
Caniacs can visit the museum admission-free from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 24, with pre-arranged group tours available through RaisingCanes.com/30thBirthdayMuseum. The downstairs museum will be open for self-guided exploration, while Graves’ upstairs apartment will be available through guided tours.
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 25: (L-R) Raising Cane’s Owner and Founder Todd Graves, Gwen Graves, Ronni Lee, and Keith Lee Celebrate Brand’s 30th Birthday and Unveils New Pop-Up Museum Near “The Mothership” Restaurant in Baton Rouge on August 25, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s)
Additionally, starting on Aug. 27 Caniacs can get their paws on the limited-edition 30th Birthday Plush Puppy, a head-to-paw throwback to 1996 decked out in a backward red cap, red striped shirt and light-wash denim, complete with headphones and its own old-school boombox. Available for $12.99 plus tax at participating Restaurants and online at RaisingCanesGear.com through Sept. 22 while supplies last, net proceeds from every 30th Birthday Plush Puppy sold at participating Restaurants will benefit local pet welfare organizations in the Communities Cane’s serves.
Thirty years and more than 1,000 Restaurants later, Cane’s remains fanatically focused on the same ONE LOVE – Craveable Chicken Finger Meals, with premium chicken marinated for at least 24 hours, hand-battered and cooked-to-order alongside freshly-made Cane’s Sauce, buttery Cane’s Toast, coleslaw, premium crinkle-cut fries, freshly-squeezed lemonade and freshly-brewed iced tea.
Raising Cane’s officially turns 30 on Aug. 28 and the best is still yet to come for decades as the restaurant continues to march on the road to success.
