The billionaire founder and CEO of the popular chicken finger chain Raising Cane's has revealed he customises his standard order to exclude one of the menu's signature items. In a March interview with TikTok creator Joe Bonham, Todd Graves stated his "go-to order" is a "Box Combo, no slaw, extra toast, extra sauce."
When asked why he substitutes the coleslaw, Graves replied, "I don't like coleslaw, man, that's why you can trade it out." He explained the side's original inclusion was an attempt to add a "vegetable component," drawing on southern tradition, but admitted, "I don't care for it."
From Baton Rouge Startup to National Powerhouse
Graves founded Raising Cane's in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the age of 24. His net worth is now estimated at approximately $11.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The privately held company has grown to over 900 stores across the United States.
Its financial performance remains robust. A June 2024 report by CNBC confirmed the store count, while Bloomberg reported in 2024 that the company told investors its revenue surged 33% year-on-year in the first half of the year, reaching $2.3 billion.
Climbing the Ranks in Competitive Market
The chain's expansion coincides with chicken's rising popularity as a preferred protein in the US. Raising Cane's is now the third-most-popular chicken restaurant in the country, according to industry publication QSR Magazine, trailing only Chick-fil-A and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
This competitive landscape was highlighted in 2024 when McDonald's CEO noted the fast-food giant's chicken products were earning it as much as its traditional beef offerings.
The Standard Box Combo
The menu item at the centre of the CEO's comments, the Box Combo, typically includes four chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Cane's signature sauce, a piece of Texas toast, coleslaw, and a drink, with a price point around $13. The chain's policy allows customers to swap the coleslaw for an additional piece of toast.