Raising Cane’s Founder Admits He Dislikes Coleslaw

Todd Graves, the founder of Raising Cane’s, recently shared that he isn’t a fan of the coleslaw served at his chicken finger chain. This revelation came during a casual chat where content creator Joe Bonham prompted him to place an order.

“Box combo, no coleslaw, extra toast, extra sauce,” Graves stated. When Bonham questioned his avoidance of coleslaw, Graves simply said, “I don’t like coleslaw, so I’m replacing it.”

An interesting moment arose when Bonham suggested that not many people enjoy coleslaw anyway. Graves seemed to agree, saying, “Sometimes people like coleslaw, but I’m not crazy about it, so swap it out for toast.”

“If you try to be everything to everyone, you won’t be great to everyone.”

When asked about whose idea it was to include coleslaw on the menu, Graves mentioned his desire to incorporate vegetables, attributing coleslaw as “a Southern thing,” but maintained that he could do without it.

The video of this exchange gained significant traction, amassing 8.5 million views and thousands of likes and comments. Many viewers expressed appreciation for his honesty, with one commenter noting how refreshing it is to have an honest CEO. Another remarked, “He knows what’s going on.”

This discussion on coleslaw sparked a lively debate among those who chimed in. While some dismissed it as “criminal” or even akin to “federal prison,” others championed coleslaw, calling it underrated and often the best part of the meal.

Interestingly, some fans even suggested alternatives like potato salad or mac and cheese to replace it. As the Raising Cane’s website points out, a 3.1-ounce serving of their coleslaw contains about 100 calories, touted as “crunchy, creamy, and freshly made.”

Graves emphasized that the restaurant remains focused on delivering quality chicken finger meals, stating, “Since we opened the first Raising Cane’s nearly 30 years ago, our menu has stayed the same.” He explains that maintaining a streamlined menu allows the staff to excel at what they do.

Touching on the chain’s philosophy, he mentioned the “one love” principle that aims for serving meals that are always hot, fast, and fresh. While Graves acknowledged some people might enjoy coleslaw, he seems firmly attached to keeping it on the menu. “Coleslaw is the item that makes up the perfect box,” he concluded.

Raising Cane’s recently celebrated the opening of its 1,000th location in Hollywood, California, and plans to open additional sites soon.