My conversation with Todd Graves

Todd Graves, the founder of Raising Canes, discusses the focus and fanaticism required to build a successful business. Graves emphasizes the importance of staying in the details, citing how monitoring even minor costs like bottled water can reflect broader operational efficiency. He recounts financing the first Raising Canes through boilermaker and fishing jobs, credit cards, and a small SBA loan after being rejected by banks. Graves stresses the value of a focused menu and a craveable product, detailing the specific criteria for chicken, fries, and bread. He also shares his philosophy of prioritizing crew member and customer experience, and his belief in company-owned restaurants over franchises to maintain quality and control.