Hooray for Raising Cane’s!
Cementing a place in Hollywood history, the restaurant is stepping into the bright lights and a dazzling spotlight that sparkles with a 1000th location. Literal steps away from the famed footprints and hand-written signatures at Tinsel Towns beloved TCL Chinese Theatre, the soon to open restaurant is a milestone achievement for a company that has taken the script of the American dream and turned it into a fantastic reality.
(Courtesy Raising Cane’s)
With a story worthy of the big screen, Raising Cane’s Owner and Founder, Todd Graves is celebrating the achievement of doors opening on the coveted street paved with golden dreams. Surrounded by stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Graves recently celebrated the coming attraction of a 1000th restaurant.
(Courtesy Raising Cane’s)
Sharing insight to the success of the franchise, the entrepreneur spent a busy week in Los Angeles gearing up for the upcoming big launch. Fresh off a red carpet appearance at the 98th Academy Awards – where he joined an Oscar nominated filmmaker friend, the man behind the secret sauce produced his own day of storytelling magic that is cinematic and inspirational.
“I came out here for my dream, and this is a city where people from all over the world come in for their dream, right? And it’s encouraging out here,” Graves said as he expressed his gratitude for the milestone location on Hollywood Blvd.
Graves journey from the first restaurant to a grand achievement of 1000 is a heralded feat that was directed by positive work ethics and the power of wish fulfillment.
(Courtesy Raising Cane’s)
After presenting at school a business plan that earned the lowest grade in the class, Graves bought a cheap suit and a briefcase and tried his luck at securing bank financing. When it didn’t work out, the determined young many set out to earn his own money.
He moved to Southern California, put on a hard hat, and worked 90-hour weeks as a boilermaker in refineries in El Segundo and Torrance. A nickname of “Hollywood” was given by a boss and he he quickly became known as the “Chicken Finger Man” as he would often tell his friends and coworkers his dream and why he was saving his money.
The businessman then went on to build bigger savings in Alaska by working as a commercial Sockeye Salmon fisherman. Over time a small SBA loan from the bank was secured. The loan and a handful of investors, some of whom included his former refinery coworkers, led to the next step towards his dream.
Restaurant one launched in 1996 near Louisiana State University, which Graves helped with a build out with own two hands. Fast forward nearly 30 years, the entrepreneur’s journey has come full circle.
Today, the company is led by Graves and Co-CEO & COO AJ Kumaran who oversee an engaging fanbase with 5.5+ million social followers along with partnerships with top names across entertainment and sports. Thousands and thousands of jobs have been created across America due to the genius leadership that makes Raising Cane’s worldwide one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands.
(Courtesy Raising Cane’s)
Cane’s operates flagship restaurants in major markets including Las Vegas, Times Square, Miami Beach, Chicago, and Nashville, with international expansion underway in London and Mexico.
“I love to do these iconic locations where tourists come,” Graves revealed during a press conference. ” We have 1000 restaurants across the United States, but we’re not in every community, right?… So whether it’s Times Square or it’s Hollywood Walk of Fame, or Nashville on Broadway, it’s a place to come (and try).”
Having a presence in these markets means something special to Graves. It’s his profound sense of equal opportunity for all that is part of the secret sauce of his company. It applies to consumers to employees. And part of the reason he proudly has his the franchise pass on a tradition of certain employees who hit a milestone of a one-year anniversary getting a hardhat – like the one he wore all those years ago in the fields to make money to launch the business.
“We have close to 100,000 crew members that are sharing in this dream with me,” Graves said while holding his original protective gear that he keeps as a reminder of what it means to start from a place where you never want to give up. “That’s why it’s so serendipitous right here for me.”
And the business that just keeps gaining momentum, is also one to set an example of the true power of ONE LOVE. Through fundraisers and its Active Community Involvement program, Cane’s has donated $160+ million to local communities, supporting causes like education, feeding the hungry, active lifestyles, pet welfare and entrepreneurship.
The soon to open Hollywood restaurant represents the looking at the stars in the sky mentality. It’s a full circle moment for Graves to open in the heart of Los Angeles with a design that represents the community and industry that makeup the land of silver screen dreams.
There is a floor to ceiling 15-foot tall cinema-grade high-resolution LED screens covering the entire length of the storefront, acting as a dynamic billboard facing Hollywood Blvd. A nearly 7-foot tall golden Cane statue stands proudly on the balcony, inspired by award shows hosted in Hollywood such as the Oscars, and the ONE LOVE sign illuminates the entrance with roughly 1,000 bulbs, honoring the milestone.
WWe have close to 100,000 crew members that are sharing in this dream with me,” Graves reflected. “And that’s why it’s so serendipitous right here for me right now.”
Lights, camera, action – this is Raising Cane’s shinning in the spotlight. We are here for this blockbuster and more box office booms in the future. Next up we ask, who will play Graves in a movie about himself. It’s a golden opportunity that sparkles with opportunity as big as restaurants 1001, 1002, 1003 and beyond.
