Raising Cane’s Restaurants

Despite receiving an unfavorable grade on his business plan from a college professor, Todd Graves, the founder of Raising Cane's®, remained steadfast in his vision for a chicken finger restaurant. He opened his first location in 1996, doing much of the renovation work himself on an old building at the north entrance of Louisiana State University. The restaurant was an instant success, staying open until 3:30 a.m. on its opening day. From there, Graves was poised to open even more locations, leading to the company’s explosive growth and the recognition of the need for a trusted development advisor.

CSRS began partnering with Raising Cane’s in 2000, as the chain opened its ninth location. Initially providing architectural and engineering services on a site-by-site basis, CSRS quickly adapted as Raising Cane’s growth rapidly accelerated, evolving into a role as a master consultant and program manager. Over the years, CSRS has been integral to Raising Cane’s journey, helping the brand expand from 9 stores in 2000 to nearly 850 locations today.

Raising Cane's’ fast-paced expansion brought challenges, including the complexities of building across multiple states with diverse consultants, vendors, and contractors. However, by leveraging CSRS’s expertise in program management, strategic advice, and system development, Raising Cane’s overcame these hurdles and cemented its position as one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the nation.

CSRS played a crucial role in various aspects of Raising Cane’s expansion:

Custom-Built Teams.

CSRS crafted a team with specialized skills to meet Raising Cane’s specific needs, including experts in strategy and technology. This tailored approach ensured that Raising Cane’s had the right support in the right markets, including the opening of a Dallas office to strengthen collaboration.

Due Diligence Reports.

CSRS developed a comprehensive due diligence report to help Raising Cane’s make swift, informed decisions on potential sites. This tool allowed the real estate and property development teams to assess site-specific challenges and plan accordingly, ensuring each new location was fully equipped for success.

Prototypical Designs.

To streamline the design process as the company expanded, CSRS recommended establishing prototypes with variations to meet different site sizes, requirements, and climates. This not only expedited planning but also controlled costs and reinforced brand identity, helping Raising Cane’s scale efficiently.

Optimizing Design. 

While rapid growth often led to rushed decisions, CSRS made it a priority to help Raising Cane’s continually refine and optimize restaurant designs. Through ongoing collaboration, CSRS ensured the designs were both effective and cost-efficient, saving time and resources in the long run.

Technology Investments.

Recognizing the importance of technology in improving communication, minimizing waste, and reducing errors, CSRS introduced best-in-class software and management tools. This technological shift supported Raising Cane’s as it continued to grow and expand.

Thanks to these strategic efforts, Raising Cane’s has achieved remarkable success, including being named the fastest-growing chain in the U.S. in 2017. By the end of 2019, the company reached $1.46 billion in sales, and in 2024, they celebrated their first billion-dollar quarter, with ambitions to hit $10 billion in sales by 2030. As Raising Cane's continues to grow, CSRS is poised to support the chain’s development needs and help maintain and upgrade its older locations. With a shared history of success, CSRS remains a trusted partner, dedicated to helping Raising Cane’s achieve its long-term goals.