Sessions included remarks from Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves, Raising Cane’s co-CEO and COO AJ Kumaran, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, and a fireside chat and performance from Emmy-award winning rapper and producer Snoop Dogg
To recognize, reward and celebrate its leaders, Raising Cane’s hosted more than 3,000 Raising Cane’s leaders and their significant others at Moon Palace Resort in Cancun from Sunday to Wednesday in an industry-defining conference that was centered around relaxing and having a good time. Set to operate more than 875 Restaurants and eclipse nearly $5B in sales by the end of the year, Cane’s owes it all to its leaders who are driving the business forward each and every day. Attendees for the all-expenses-paid trip included all Restaurant Leaders, Business Unit, and Restaurant Support Crew along with their spouses or significant others.
“Canecún is all about celebrating, recognizing, and rewarding our Crew. Not only celebrating where we’ve been, but where we’re headed, because I believe we’re just getting started,” said Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves. “When I first started Cane’s 28 years ago, I would have never imagined it would grow to where we are today. It’s the same Crew that were with us all those years ago that we’re here celebrating today, and it’s amazing to see the amount of lives Cane’s has changed. We currently employ nearly 65,000 Crew and are proud to offer industry-leading benefits, support and compensation to each of them, simply because it’s the right thing to do.”
“While this trip was about celebrating our leaders, it was also about celebrating our significant others whose support helps us succeed,” said Graves. “Our leaders work hard and we want them to relax with their significant others, to have date night, and enjoy their time here in Mexico.
From specialized optional breakout sessions to a performance from Snoop Dogg, it’s a great trip that we’re proud to treat our Leaders and their significant others to.”
To kick things off, Leaders and their guests arrived on Sunday to a fully Cane’s branded five-star resort in Cancún where they received Canecún-branded swag bags and started the trip with a welcome reception filled with drinks, music, and good times. Monday was filled with leisure and an array of optional activities including beach volleyball and yoga and optional sessions for financial wellbeing; “Making Millionaires,” which detailed all elements of the Raising Cane’s Restaurant Partner Program including the long term incentive program that allows the Restaurant Partners to become millionaires within seven to 10 years; maximizing benefits; optimizing mental energy; Spanish lessons and more. Later in the day, attendees gathered to hear from Graves about the history of Cane’s and co-CEO and COO AJ Kumaran. Kumaran talked about the industry leading programs Cane’s has in place as well as upcoming programs to help Raising Cane’s scale to become a top 10 US Restaurant Brand in sales.
“Even through the most challenging times, our Crew have been there and persevered, and it’s because of our leaders that we’re here today. Together, we’re growing a business that is timeless and limitless, and we’ve done it all without compromising our values,” said Kumaran. “We’ve had 63 consecutive quarters of positive same-Restaurant sales with an AUV of $6.5M that is more than two times the industry standard. We have our sights set on becoming a top 10 US Restaurant brand with more than 1,600 Restaurants, 150,000 Crew, $8M AUV, 100,000 Community partners and $10B in sales. We are well on our way to achieving this growth, and we owe it all to our leaders and Crew.”
Business updates from Kumaran included:
- 4,500 internal promotions in the last 12 months
- $30M+ paid out in long term incentives to Restaurant Partners
- Goal to have 50% of Restaurant Leaders as Restaurant Partners and more than 50 millionaires by the end of this decade
- 35% increase in Restaurant compensation over the last 36 months
- Financial planning resources expanded to all Restaurant Leaders and Support Crew
- 300 Restaurant Managers supported through the college tuition assistance program in the last 12 months
- 54 new homeowners in one year since Cane’s rolled out its First Time Home Buyer Program, which was also expanded to all Business Unit and Restaurant Support Office Crew
Later in the evening, Graves’ good friend and Emmy-award winning rapper and producer Snoop Dogg joined him on stage for a fireside chat about entrepreneurism, work ethic, leadership, family and success. While on stage, Graves presented Snoop, who is a huge Bruce Lee fan, with Bruce Lee’s famous nunchucks from Enter the Dragon as a gift of appreciation for coming to Cancun to both inspire and entertain Cane’s leaders. Graves and Snoop’s friendship dates back many years, notably with Snoop kicking off Cane’s “Drive-Thru Series” with a surprise and delight appearance at a Raising Cane’s in Arkansas. Since then, Snoop has been in Cane’s marketing campaigns and Graves’ shows Restaurant Recovery and Secret Sauce. Graves was also featured in Snoop’s movie “The Underdoggs” and partnered with Snoop on a variety of ventures. Most recently, Graves donated $100,000 to Snoop Youth Football League, and also announced a yearly, recurring donation going forward.
While with Graves, Snoop, who is a coach on the current season of “The Voice,” spoke to his friendship with Graves and what’s important to him.
“Todd is a great man and great person who always inspires me to do more and I’m so thankful for our partnership. Cane’s has so many great programs to help people grow and it’s important to highlight that,” said Snoop. “I used to be one of those kids hoping and wishing that a celeb I was close to would be approachable and touchable. I wanted to come back and give those kids what I never had and it’s important to be genuine, authentic, and a student of the business, and Todd is all three of those things.”
“A great leader loves to listen and knows how to receive information and put things in perspective. You need to be able to listen to those who have helped make you successful,” said Snoop. “Leaders don’t dictate – they delegate.”
“Representing Team USA at the Olympics was a dream and I loved having the chance to represent America in a wholesome way,” said Snoop. “I asked myself: ‘How does the world view America?’ and I wanted to them to see our country for who we really are – fun, joyful, loving and approachable.”
Graves also asked Snoop about being a coach on “The Voice,” which premiered Monday night for its 26th season. In fact, prior to performing on stage, Snoop went back to his room after the fireside chat to watch the season debut in real time. Currently on Team Snoop are Jake Tankersley, ChrisDeo, and Torre Blake.
“I’m the newest coach on ‘The Voice’ and I had a great time. I fell in love with Reba and Gwen, and Michael and I are boss brothers,” said Snoop. “It’s a great show filled with great moments and I’m there coaching and doing what I love. Make sure you tune in!”
Directly following, attendees went outside for a drone and firework show and concert from Snoop Dogg where he sang and DJ’d.
On Tuesday morning, nine-time Olympic gold medalist spoke to leaders about inspiration, motivation, and chasing a dream. Ledecky also confirmed that she’d compete in the 2028 Olympics and that her favorite cheat meal was Raising Cane’s.
“Cane’s has built a community that has the ability to bring smiles to people’s faces through meals, and I hope no one ever takes that for granted and that you can reflect on the people that have been a part of your journey. I know how much you all strive for excellence every day, and I can relate to that,” said Ledecky. “I’ve learned a lot throughout my four Olympics, and I continue setting goals and pushing myself to become better. The goals I set are unlike any other athlete’s goals, and seeing those goals and achieving those goals is very powerful. I’ve learned a lot throughout the years – how to be resilient, adapt, pass hurdles, and most of all, lessons in gratitude and what a privilege it is to compete and do what I do.”
Following Ledecky’s keynote, she was joined by Graves and Kumaran on stage for a QA session where they asked about how Katie stays motivated and what it means to be a leader.
“I have moments of self-doubt just like everyone else and that’s when I go back to my journals and remind myself that I am ready, and I have coaches around me that communicate that to me.
I’ve worked hard to improve my communication skills and am much better at that than when I was first getting started,” said Ledecky. “You have to rely on people you trust to help get your mind out of those doubts and get your head back on track, and it’s important to have those people keep you steady through the highs and lows. Always remember to celebrate, but don’t get too high and also don’t get too low – recognize the people who can help keep you steady.”
“As an older member on Team USA in Paris, there were younger athletes looking for my advice and guidance. My leadership style is to lead by example in everything I do from preparation, to routine, to generally going about my day. I hope they’re able to pull some nuggets from how I conduct myself and that I’m able to give them some advice in return,” said Ledecky. “I also want them to know that I’ll be there for them if something arises or if there are ever any issues. It’s important to lift people up and give some encouragement, even telling people subtly that you believe in them. By encouraging someone, you are telling them you will be there on their worst days and that means a lot to people.”
To round out Canecún, leaders were encouraged to take the rest of Tuesday to rest and relax before departing on Wednesday.
Raising Cane’s is one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands, with 800+ Restaurants in 40+ states and plans to open more than 100 new Restaurants across several new markets in 2024. The company recently announced plans to be one of the top 10 Restaurant brands in the United States and is known for its ONE LOVE – craveable Chicken Finger meals – which includes the iconic “Cane’s Sauce” – named the #1 most craveable sauce in the restaurant industry and most craveable chicken. For more information visit RaisingCanes.com.
