Who Owns Raising Cane’s: Top Shareholders

When asking “Who owns Raising Cane’s?”, the answer isn’t hidden in stock filings or public shareholder reports, because the chain remains privately held. This means the brand’s ownership structure is quite different from most major fast-food companies.

Key Takeaways

• Raising Cane’s is a privately held company, officially known as Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC, with no public investors or stock market listings — meaning full ownership remains in private hands.
• Todd Graves, the founder and CEO, is the majority shareholder, holding an estimated 70–80% ownership stake and maintaining complete operational and voting control over the company.
• Co-CEO AJ Kumaran and select senior executives hold minor equity stakes (under 10% combined), mainly as part of long-term performance and retention programs, without decision-making authority equal to Graves.

Raising Cane’s Overview

Raising Cane’s is a fast-casual restaurant chain that has built its identity around a single menu item: chicken fingers. Founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, it started as a small local restaurant near Louisiana State University and evolved into a national favorite.

The brand’s success lies in its simplicity — offering only chicken-finger meals, fries, toast, coleslaw, and its signature Cane’s Sauce. The chain emphasizes culture, quality, and community involvement.

As of 2025, Raising Cane’s operates over 900 restaurants across the United States and several international markets, including the Middle East.

Raising Cane’s operates under the legal name Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC, with its headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The company also has a corporate support office in Plano, Texas, to manage operations and expansion. The brand’s guiding philosophy is “One Love” — focusing on serving high-quality chicken finger meals, supporting its crew, and giving back to the communities where it operates.

The company’s menu and operations are intentionally streamlined. Instead of diversifying, Raising Cane’s focuses on perfecting its single product category. This strategy has built a loyal customer base and helped the company maintain consistent quality across hundreds of locations. Internationally, Raising Cane’s has expanded into regions such as Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, showcasing its growing global appeal.

Founders

Raising Cane’s was founded by Todd Graves and Craig Silvey. Todd Graves, the current CEO, was a passionate entrepreneur who initially faced rejection from investors and professors who doubted his idea. Determined, he worked multiple blue-collar jobs — including commercial fishing and construction — to raise the capital for his first restaurant. Craig Silvey, his college friend, created the original business plan for a university class.

The first Raising Cane’s restaurant opened on August 28, 1996, near Louisiana State University. After the success of the first location, the brand quickly gained local popularity for its quality food and customer-focused service. Silvey eventually sold his stake early in the company’s growth, leaving Graves as the sole owner and visionary behind the brand’s expansion.

Major Milestones

• 1996: First Raising Cane’s restaurant opens in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, near LSU, nicknamed “The Mothership.”
• 1999: Second restaurant launches, marking the beginning of regional expansion within Louisiana.
• 2001: Raising Cane’s opens its first out-of-state location in Texas, beginning its national growth.
• 2005: The company gains recognition for community involvement and relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
• 2008: Raising Cane’s opens its 50th restaurant, strengthening its southern U.S. presence.
• 2011: The brand expands to over 100 locations across multiple states.
• 2014: Raising Cane’s enters the international market with its first overseas restaurant in Kuwait.
• 2017: The chain surpasses 350 restaurants nationwide and becomes one of America’s fastest-growing restaurant brands.
• 2019: Launches a national expansion plan to reach 600 locations within five years.
• 2021: Opens its 600th restaurant and expands into major new markets including California and Florida.
• 2023: Enters major urban centers like New York City and Chicago, marking a milestone in national visibility.
• 2024: Celebrates its 28th anniversary with events highlighting its “One Love” philosophy and crew culture.
• 2025: Reaches over 900 locations across 40+ states and expands further into international markets, reinforcing its reputation as a top-tier chicken finger brand.

Who Owns Raising Cane’s: Major Shareholders

Raising Cane’s is a privately held company under the official name Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC, and as of 2025, it continues to be majority-owned and controlled by its founder, Todd Graves. The company has never gone public and does not trade on any stock exchange, allowing it to maintain independence from external investor influence.

Unlike many fast-food giants that rely on franchise ownership or corporate investors, Raising Cane’s is primarily company-operated. Its ownership is concentrated among a few key individuals, ensuring that control remains closely tied to those who shaped the brand’s identity. The structure prioritizes brand consistency, culture, and long-term growth over short-term profit pressures.

Below is a list of the major shareholders of Raising Cane’s:

Todd Graves – Founder, CEO, and Majority Owner

Todd Graves is the primary owner and CEO of Raising Cane’s. He holds an estimated 70% to 80% ownership stake in the company, giving him overwhelming control over both the operational and strategic direction of the business.

As the founder, Graves has complete authority over decision-making, including expansion plans, menu innovations, brand partnerships, and cultural development. His majority stake allows him to maintain voting control, ensuring that company values remain consistent with his “One Love” philosophy — focusing exclusively on chicken fingers and maintaining product quality.

Graves’ leadership style is founder-driven and culture-centered. Every major company initiative, from restaurant design to community involvement, reflects his direct influence. Because of his significant equity position, no major changes can occur without his approval.

AJ Kumaran – Co-CEO and Minority Shareholder

AJ Kumaran serves as the Co-Chief Executive Officer alongside Todd Graves and plays a crucial role in operational leadership. He joined the company in the 2010s and has been instrumental in scaling Raising Cane’s nationwide and internationally.

Kumaran holds a minority ownership stake estimated between 3% and 5%, structured through private executive equity agreements. His equity gives him limited ownership rights but significant operational authority.

In his role, Kumaran oversees business operations, restaurant performance, expansion strategy, and internal systems. While Todd Graves remains the visionary and cultural figurehead, Kumaran is the strategic executor — ensuring the brand’s infrastructure and operations support its rapid growth.

The dual-leadership model between Graves and Kumaran has become one of Raising Cane’s key advantages, combining entrepreneurial passion with disciplined corporate management.

Executive Leadership Stakeholders

Beyond Graves and Kumaran, a small group of senior executives and long-term management team members hold minor equity or profit-sharing interests. These ownership stakes are typically under 5% collectively, distributed as part of long-term retention and incentive programs rather than voting power.

These executives include department heads across operations, marketing, and strategy who have been part of Raising Cane’s for years. Their ownership stakes ensure alignment between the leadership’s decisions and the company’s financial success.

These positions do not grant decision-making control over company direction but serve to motivate key executives to uphold the brand’s high standards of consistency and service excellence.

Early Investors and Regional Partners

During the early expansion years in Louisiana and Texas, a few local partners and early investors were granted small ownership or joint venture rights in select regional markets. These agreements are minimal today and primarily reflect profit-sharing or management participation, not controlling stakes.

Raising Cane’s operates mostly through company-owned stores rather than traditional franchising. However, in some early agreements, regional partners were allowed to co-invest in store openings, leading to minor equity participation.

As of 2025, the company has consolidated most of these arrangements, retaining nearly all ownership under its corporate umbrella to preserve brand control and consistency.

Craig Silvey – Co-Founder (Exited Shareholder)

Craig Silvey, the co-founder of Raising Cane’s, played a vital role in creating the brand concept. He developed the original business plan with Todd Graves while at Louisiana State University. However, Silvey sold his ownership stake shortly after the second Raising Cane’s location opened.

As of 2025, he no longer has any equity, voting rights, or management involvement in the company. Nevertheless, his early contribution remains part of Raising Cane’s founding legacy.

Employee Ownership and Profit-Sharing

Raising Cane’s maintains a profit-sharing model for select high-performing employees and management teams rather than offering equity-based ownership. This approach rewards loyalty and performance without diluting corporate control.

Top-level regional directors and long-term crew members may receive annual bonuses or profit-sharing incentives tied to restaurant performance. However, they do not hold direct ownership or voting power within Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC.

Who is the CEO of Raising Cane’s?

Todd Graves is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Raising Cane’s. He launched the brand in 1996 and remains at the helm as of 2025. Graves retains a central role in shaping the company’s culture, menu, and strategic growth — overseeing operations while maintaining the founder-led identity of the business.

CEO Role and Responsibilities

In his capacity as CEO, Graves performs several key functions:

• Sets the overall vision and brand direction for Raising Cane’s.
• Approves major expansion plans, new store markets, and international growth initiatives.
• Ensures the company culture — emphasizing quality, crew-development, and community — is consistently upheld across all restaurants.
• Oversees senior leadership appointments and corporate systems, although day-to-day operational execution is delegated to his executive team.
  This structure keeps the company both agile (due to its private status) and aligned with the founder’s strategic intent.

Compensation and Salary Details

Because Raising Cane’s is privately held, precise publicly-filed salary and compensation figures for Todd Graves are limited. Estimates from executive-level data sources suggest the average executive compensation at Raising Cane’s is around $237,000 per year.

Further reporting indicates Graves has drawn nine-figure dividends in recent years. For example, his ownership enables him to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in distributions when the company generates strong cash flow.

Historically, he has also chosen to forgo salary during crisis periods in order to preserve jobs and maintain operations — demonstrating a leadership style that prioritizes the organization and team over personal pay.

Net Worth and Ownership Influence

As of November 2025, Todd Graves’ net worth is estimated at approximately $17.2 billion, making him one of the wealthiest restaurateurs globally. His significant wealth is largely tied to his majority ownership of Raising Cane’s.

His direct ownership stake, estimated at around 70% to 80% of the company, gives him dominant control over corporate direction, brand strategy, and growth priorities.

This ownership and control mean that although he holds the CEO title, his influence extends far beyond that of a typical corporate executive — he is effectively the principal owner, strategic architect, and cultural custodian of the brand.

Raising Cane’s Annual Revenue and Net Worth

As of November 2025, Raising Cane’s has reached an estimated annual revenue of $6.3 billion, marking another record year for the company. The net worth of the brand is around $19.8 billion. The brand’s continued expansion across the United States and new international markets has solidified its position among the largest privately held restaurant chains in America.

Revenue

Raising Cane’s financial growth over the past few years has been extraordinary. In 2024, the company posted roughly $5.1 billion in system-wide sales, but 2025 has seen that number climb sharply to about $6.3 billion. The growth is attributed to sustained demand, consistent same-store sales increases, and the addition of over 100 new locations throughout the year.

The company’s focused menu model continues to drive operational efficiency and high profitability per unit. Each new restaurant averages between $6 million and $7 million in annual sales, ranking among the highest per-unit volumes in the fast-casual segment. With more than 900 restaurants operating across 40 states and several Middle Eastern markets, Raising Cane’s maintains one of the strongest growth trajectories in the restaurant industry.

The chain’s expansion strategy remains deliberate but aggressive. Instead of adopting a full franchise model, Raising Cane’s operates primarily as a company-owned network, ensuring uniform standards, quality control, and a strong brand identity. This approach also allows it to capture more direct revenue and profit per location.

Net Worth and Founder Wealth

Although Raising Cane’s is privately held and does not release official financial statements, industry observers estimate the company’s total valuation to fall between $18 billion and $22 billion as of November 2025. This valuation is derived from its consistent double-digit annual growth, high per-store earnings, and strong margins within the fast-casual segment.

Todd Graves, who holds an estimated 70–80% ownership stake, is the main beneficiary of this success. His personal net worth, estimated at $17.8 billion in November 2025, reflects the rising market value of Raising Cane’s. Most of his wealth is tied directly to the company’s equity rather than fixed salary or traditional compensation. While Graves earns a base executive salary estimated at $1.5 million annually, the majority of his income comes from profit distributions and retained ownership value.

Unlike CEOs of public corporations who rely on stock options or performance bonuses tied to shareholder approval, Graves’ compensation model is fully self-directed. His deep equity ownership allows him to reinvest profits directly into the company while maintaining personal control over how surplus earnings are distributed.

Historical Revenue and Net Worth

Raising Cane’s has demonstrated exceptional financial performance and value creation over the past decade. In 2015, the company generated just over $580 million in revenue with a net worth of roughly $700 million. By 2025, those figures have skyrocketed to an estimated $6.3 billion in annual revenue and a company valuation of nearly $20 billion — representing more than a tenfold increase in revenue and a twenty-eight-fold rise in corporate net worth within ten years.

This consistent growth can be attributed to several strategic factors:

• Focused Business Model: By specializing exclusively in chicken fingers and keeping its menu limited, Raising Cane’s achieved operational simplicity and product consistency.
• Company-Owned Expansion: Unlike franchise-heavy fast-food competitors, the chain’s choice to operate mostly company-owned stores has allowed for higher profit retention and stronger quality control.
• High Average Unit Volume (AUV): With per-store sales averaging between $6 million and $7 million, Raising Cane’s leads the fast-casual industry in unit profitability.
• Cultural Strength and Leadership: A founder-led culture emphasizing crew engagement, community involvement, and brand consistency has driven loyalty and performance.

As of November 2025, Raising Cane’s is recognized as one of the most valuable privately held restaurant companies in the United States, standing alongside giants like Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out in terms of valuation per store and revenue efficiency.

The company’s decade-long performance illustrates not just strong financial growth, but a remarkable balance between expansion, brand integrity, and sustained profitability — positioning Raising Cane’s as a modern case study in founder-led restaurant success.

Brands Owned by Raising Cane’s

Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC operates as a single-brand company, fully centered around its flagship restaurant chain — Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. However, over the years, the company has developed several subsidiary entities, regional operational arms, and support divisions to manage its large-scale operations, corporate functions, and international growth.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the major entities, divisions, and supporting operations owned and operated by Raising Cane’s as of November 2025:

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

The flagship and sole restaurant brand under Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC, this entity represents the core business operation. It is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing exclusively in premium chicken finger meals, fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and the proprietary Cane’s Sauce.

As of 2025, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers operates over 900 locations across 40+ U.S. states and international markets including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. The brand’s defining features include its “One Love®” philosophy — focusing on quality, simplicity, and culture — and its commitment to maintaining a consistent menu across all restaurants.

All Raising Cane’s locations are either company-owned or jointly operated under controlled regional partnerships, which ensures full brand consistency and operational excellence. Unlike many competitors, the company has avoided a broad franchising model, allowing it to preserve its quality standards and brand control.

Cane’s Supply Chain Division (Cane’s Logistics)

Raising Cane’s operates its own supply chain and logistics network, responsible for managing procurement, distribution, and delivery to its hundreds of restaurant locations. This division sources key ingredients such as fresh chicken, sauces, bread, and packaging materials.

Cane’s Logistics manages supplier partnerships, food safety protocols, and transportation routes to ensure efficiency and consistency across all operations. By keeping supply chain management largely internal, Raising Cane’s reduces dependency on external contractors and maintains strict quality oversight.

This division also coordinates with regional distribution centers in Louisiana, Texas, and the Midwest, allowing the brand to streamline delivery times and maintain product freshness at scale.

Cane’s Real Estate Holdings, LLC

Raising Cane’s owns and operates a separate entity for its real estate investments and property management. Cane’s Real Estate Holdings, LLC acquires, leases, and develops land for new restaurant locations.

This entity plays a strategic role in the company’s expansion strategy by identifying prime retail locations, negotiating leases, and ensuring architectural consistency across new builds. Owning its real estate through a separate subsidiary provides Raising Cane’s with financial flexibility, tax efficiency, and control over its long-term property assets.

As of 2025, this entity oversees more than 300 company-owned properties, with the rest leased under long-term corporate agreements.

Cane’s International Operations (Raising Cane’s Global FZ-LLC)

To manage its growing international footprint, Raising Cane’s operates a dedicated international division known as Raising Cane’s Global FZ-LLC. This entity is responsible for overseeing all operations, partnerships, and development agreements outside the United States.

It manages existing and upcoming markets in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, ensuring global compliance and brand alignment. Raising Cane’s Global FZ-LLC works with local operators under joint venture and master license models, rather than traditional franchising. This allows the company to maintain brand integrity while adapting to international market requirements.

The entity also handles international marketing, regional supply chain logistics, and cultural adaptation of operations while keeping the core Raising Cane’s experience consistent.

Cane’s Training and Development Center

Raising Cane’s operates its own training and leadership development division, sometimes referred to as the Cane’s Training Center or “Raising Cane’s University.” This entity is dedicated to staff education, leadership development, and operational excellence.

It manages a network of training hubs located across key U.S. regions, including Louisiana, Texas, and Nevada. Every new crew member and manager undergoes standardized training here before joining the operational team.

This division is vital to preserving the company’s culture and service standards as it scales rapidly. It focuses on leadership training, crew engagement, hospitality, and brand philosophy — reinforcing the chain’s internal motto of “Raising the Bar” for service quality.

Cane’s Marketing and Media Group

As of 2025, Raising Cane’s operates its own in-house marketing and media group, responsible for brand strategy, social media, sponsorships, and community engagement. This division handles creative campaigns, digital promotions, brand storytelling, and strategic partnerships with sports teams and entertainment entities.

The marketing group has been instrumental in high-visibility collaborations, such as partnerships with national sports teams, musicians, and influencers that align with Raising Cane’s youthful and community-driven brand image.

By managing marketing internally, the company ensures brand messaging remains authentic, culturally consistent, and emotionally resonant with its audience.

Cane’s Foundation

The Cane’s Foundation serves as Raising Cane’s philanthropic and community outreach arm. It focuses on charitable initiatives, education support, youth programs, and local partnerships.

This entity manages the company’s donations, volunteer programs, and disaster relief efforts. It has provided millions of dollars in grants and resources to local communities where Raising Cane’s operates.

The foundation also runs initiatives that engage employees in volunteer work, reinforcing the company’s identity as a community-first brand rather than just a restaurant chain.

Cane’s Innovation and Development Group

Raising Cane’s Innovation and Development Group oversees new product testing, store design improvements, and operational technology enhancements. While the brand’s menu remains intentionally limited, this entity focuses on refining operations, improving efficiency, and modernizing the customer experience.

Its projects include developing digital ordering systems, drive-thru optimization, kitchen automation, and sustainability initiatives such as energy-efficient restaurant design and packaging innovations.

This division also works closely with architects and engineers to maintain the signature Raising Cane’s store look while adapting to local market conditions and environmental standards.

Cane’s HR and Culture Division

Another key internal entity, the Cane’s HR and Culture Division, manages employee relations, crew engagement programs, and internal recognition systems. It ensures that every employee, from crew members to regional leaders, aligns with the company’s core cultural values — high energy, teamwork, and community connection.

This division plays a critical role in maintaining high retention rates and employee satisfaction, which are considered among the best in the restaurant industry. The company’s internal culture is one of the strongest contributors to its operational success and consistent customer experience.

Final Thoughts

Raising Cane’s remains one of the few major restaurant chains still built on its founder’s original vision. The answer to who owns Raising Cane’s lies in its private, founder-led structure, with Todd Graves retaining full ownership and control of the company he started in Baton Rouge. His commitment to keeping the brand independent has helped Raising Cane’s grow into a global name while staying true to its simple menu and strong culture. Even as it expands across new markets, the heart of Raising Cane’s success remains the same — a single owner, a single vision, and one love for quality chicken.

FAQs

Who is Raising Cane’s owned by?

Raising Cane’s is owned by Todd Graves, the company’s founder and CEO. He is the majority shareholder and maintains full control over the business. The company is privately held under Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC, meaning it is not owned by any public investors or corporations.

Who is Todd Graves?

Todd Graves is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist best known as the founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. He started the restaurant in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after developing the concept while studying at Louisiana State University. Graves is recognized for his hands-on leadership style, community involvement, and commitment to maintaining the company’s founder-led culture.

What rapper owns Raising Cane’s?

No rapper owns Raising Cane’s. However, rapper Snoop Dogg has partnered with Raising Cane’s in promotional campaigns and special events. While he has a close friendship with Todd Graves and has temporarily “taken over” select locations for marketing purposes, he does not have any ownership stake in the company.

What is the net worth of Todd Graves?

As of November 2025, Todd Graves’ estimated net worth is $17.8 billion. His wealth comes primarily from his ownership of Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC, which he still runs as CEO.

Is Raising Cane’s publicly traded?

No, Raising Cane’s is not publicly traded. It remains a private company, fully controlled by its founder Todd Graves. There are no publicly available shares or stock listings for the company.

Who owns Raising Cane’s restaurants?

Nearly all Raising Cane’s restaurants are company-owned, meaning they are directly operated by Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC. A small number of early regional partnerships exist, but the company has avoided widespread franchising to maintain consistency and quality across all locations.

What is the Raising Cane’s parent company?

The parent company of all Raising Cane’s operations is Raising Cane’s Restaurants, LLC. It oversees every aspect of the business, including the main restaurant brand, supply chain, real estate, marketing, and training divisions.

What is the net worth of Raising Cane’s?

As of November 2025, Raising Cane’s has an estimated company net worth of around $19.8 billion. The brand’s value reflects its strong financial performance, with annual revenue exceeding $6.3 billion and continued expansion across the United States and international markets.

When was Raising Cane’s founded?

Raising Cane’s was founded on August 28, 1996, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by Todd Graves and his college friend Craig Silvey. The first restaurant opened near the campus of Louisiana State University and quickly gained popularity for its simple, high-quality chicken-finger meals.

Is Snoop Dogg the owner of Raising Cane’s?

No, Snoop Dogg is not the owner of Raising Cane’s. He has collaborated with the brand for special promotions and events, but does not hold any ownership or executive role in the company. The sole owner and CEO is Todd Graves.

Who is the original owner of Cane’s?

The original owner and creator of Raising Cane’s is Todd Graves, who founded the company in 1996. Craig Silvey was a co-founder who helped develop the initial business plan but sold his stake early in the company’s history.

Is Raising Cane’s chicken halal?

Raising Cane’s chicken is not certified halal in the United States. The company sources its chicken from domestic suppliers that follow U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines, which do not include halal certification. However, in some international markets, such as the Middle East, select Raising Cane’s locations may offer halal-certified chicken depending on local requirements.