Raising Cane’s CEO Admits He Doesn’t Like One Menu Item

Todd Graves explains why personal taste doesn’t always drive business decisions.

BY MOSES JEANFRANCOIS, NEWS WRITER @MOSESJEANS

Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves. Illustration: Inc; Photo: Getty Images

Box combo, no slaw, extra toast, extra sauce. That’s how Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves likes his order.  In a clip that recently went viral, the CEO surprised customers by saying he hates his restaurant’s coleslaw and reluctantly put it on the menu. 

Joe Bonham, a TikTok creator who started a series called Financial Flex, put the Cane’s founder on the spot and asked about his go-to order at the restaurant. Graves didn’t hesitate and admitted that he doesn’t like the coleslaw, but doesn’t regret putting it on the menu. 

“I wanted a vegetable component for the meal, and coleslaw is a Southern thing,” Graves said. “But I don’t care for it.” 

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The Louisiana‑based restaurant launched in 1996 with a goal of defying fast‑food expectations. Graves knew that to make the business work, he needed more than fried chicken to set Cane’s apart. 

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The fast‑growing chain operates with an intentionally narrow menu: chicken fingers, fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, its signature Cane’s sauce. Graves built the business around doing fewer things, but better. “I just believe in doing one thing and doing it better than anybody else, or at least striving to,” Graves said in an interview with Mashed. “It’s about focusing on that and being great at what you’re good at.”  

Despite the CEO’s personal distaste—and plenty of customer criticism—the coleslaw has remained on the menu since Cane’s first days. 

“Some coleslaw is fire some is inedible; Canes slaw falls closer to the latter,” said a commenter. Many other users praised the Graves’ honesty about his swap out. “I’d rather a CEO be honest about what they don’t like on their menu than be fake and claim they like everything they offer.” 

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