Ella Scott
Raising Cane’s is lauded for its ‘craveable’ chicken fingers, crunchy Texas toast, and legendary sauce - but there’s one menu staple that CEO Todd Graves simply refuses to eat.
In a 2021 interview with Mashed, Graves, who founded the beloved American business in 1996, admitted that he truly believes in ‘doing one thing and doing it better than anybody else, or at least striving to’.
Naturally, his ethos aligns with Raising Cane’s, which boasts an extremely limited menu compared to most fast-foodinstitutions.
And, unlike McDonald’s, Burger King, and Shake Shack, Raising Cane’s doesn’t sell beef.
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Instead, it only offers customers chicken breast tenderloins, the strip of meat on the underside of a chicken breast that is considered a premium cut in the United States, as per USA Today.
The chicken, held in a brining solution for 24 hours before being hand-battered and breaded in a cook-to-order fashion, can be bought in individual portions or via one of Raising Cane’s combo boxes.
The combos pack two, three, four, or six chicken fingers with crinkle-cut fries, Cane’s sauce, Texas toast, creamy coleslaw. A drink is also included, with lemonade available at an extra charge.
The boxes are customisable, with the fries, coleslaw, and toast available to be substituted for one another or swapped out for an extra Cane’s sauce.
Graves is apparently someone who has exercised the option to swap out sides in the past.
In a recent interview with content creator Joe Bonham, he claimed that he always goes for Texas Toast because he’s not a huge fan of Raising Cane’s coleslaw.
“I don't like coleslaw, man ... trade it out for toast,” he lamented.
When asked why coleslaw remained on the menu despite his distaste, the businessman claimed: “I wanted, like, a vegetable component to the meal, right? Coleslaw's a Southern thing ... but I don't care for it."
A great debate has since ensued, with some customers alleging they appreciate the 54-year-old for his honesty.
“I respect that. Just because you don't fw doesn't mean other people won't,” typed one Instagram user.
A second remarked: “Dude is so real for this.”
Someone else reported: “I love raising canes even more.”
Some have used the viral moment to discuss what could eventually replace coleslaw on the menu, with one writing: “Potato salad would be wayyyyy better.”
“Throw in a jalapeño for us southerners,” another commented.
“Okra would have ripped,” added a third.
If you’re in the UK, then good news: Raising Cane’s is set to open a flagship store in London by the end of the year.
The third-biggest fried chicken chain in America confirmed that its first-ever European Store will reside at 21-22 Coventry St in Piccadilly Circus.
Once the Raising Cane’s restaurant is open, the business will launch at locations around The Strand, Oxford Circus, Paddington and South Bank as well as drive-thru locations in Greater London and beyond, according to Time Out Magazine.