Hollywood goes crazy as Raising Cane’s opens 1,000th location

Move over, Walk of Fame, there’s a new star on Hollywood Boulevard.

Raising Cane’s has officially opened its 1,000th restaurant, and it couldn’t have picked a flashier spot. The two-story, LED-lit hotspot is already drawing lines of tourists and locals alike, all eager to get their hands on the chain’s famous chicken fingers, crinkle fries, Texas toast and that signature Cane’s Sauce.

It’s been a meteoric rise for the Louisiana-born chain, which started from humble beginnings near Louisiana State University. 

At the helm is Todd Graves, the Baton Rouge native and mastermind behind the finger-food empire. Graves dreamed up the concept while still in college, a restaurant serving only chicken fingers, fries, coleslaw, Texas toast and one signature dipping sauce.

Rejected by banks and given a low grade on his business plan, Graves didn’t fold. He worked grueling jobs welding in oil refineries and fishing in Alaska, saving every dollar until he could open the first Raising Cane’s in 1996.

What followed was nothing short of a fast-food phenomenon. Graves kept the menu laser-focused, refused to dilute the brand, and carefully expanded across the U.S., hitting 1,000 locations with the Hollywood flagship. 

Forbes now estimates his net worth at $22 billion, making him one of America’s wealthiest restaurateurs. Minimalist menu, maximum flavor, that’s his winning formula.

Industry watchers say the milestone proves Cane’s formula is still hitting home. And the chain isn’t slowing down: more locations are slated for California and beyond this year, signaling that Raising Cane’s isn’t just celebrating its past, it’s building its future. 

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