Raising Cane’s climbs to third in U.S. chicken chain rankings, beating KFC with a simple recipe for success
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 30, 2025, 22:13 IST
Raising Cane’s climbs to third in U.S. chicken chain rankings, beating KFC with a simple recipe for success
Raising Cane's, known for its simple chicken finger menu, has surpassed KFC to become the third-largest chicken chain in the U.S. with $5.1 billion in sales. The company's success is attributed to its consistent menu, company-owned restaurant model, and strategic real estate choices. With plans to reach 1,000 locations by 2025, Cane's is poised for further growth.
Raising Cane’s, the Louisiana-based fast-food chain known for its chicken fingers and signature sauce, has quietly outpaced one of the industry’s oldest giants to become the third-largest chicken chain in the United States. With systemwide sales reaching $5.1 billion last year, the 28-year-old company now trails only Chick-fil-A and Popeyes in annual U.S. revenue, according to new data.
This achievement marks a pivotal moment for a brand that began with a single location near Louisiana State University in 1996. Cane’s has more than 900 locations across 42 states and expects to reach 1,000 restaurants by the end of 2025. Its growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing, even as economic uncertainty continues to weigh on consumer spending.
At the heart of Cane’s strategy is its unwavering commitment to simplicity. Unlike competitors that regularly rotate menu items or launch flashy seasonal promotions, Cane’s has stuck with its original menu: chicken fingers, fries, Texas toast, coleslaw and Cane’s Sauce. Even the sandwich option is just three chicken fingers tucked into a bun with lettuce and sauce. According to co-CEO AJ Kumaran, that consistency is key to customer loyalty.
“We do not get into value play. We do not get into limited-time offers,” said Kumaran. “When our customers pull into the drive-thru or walk through the doors, they immediately know what to expect.”
That reliability is paying off. Cane’s not only reported a 10.8 percent increase in customer traffic last year but also achieved its first $1 billion revenue quarter. According to Kumaran, the company is on track to reach founder Todd Graves’ long-term goal of becoming a top 10 U.S. restaurant chain, with more than $10 billion in annual sales.
Graves, who started the business at age 24 using money he earned working in an oil refinery and salmon fishing in Alaska, still owns the majority of the company. He remains closely involved in the business alongside Kumaran, a restaurant veteran who joined Cane’s in 2014 and became co-CEO in 2017.
Unlike most fast-food giants, Raising Cane’s avoids widespread franchising. While its competitors like KFC, Chick-fil-A, and Dave’s Hot Chicken operate mostly on franchise models, Cane’s owns and operates the vast majority of its restaurants. Only about 3 percent of Cane’s restaurants are franchised.
This model gives the company tighter control over operations and brand consistency, helping it achieve exceptional performance at the store level. In 2024, Cane’s reported an average unit volume of $6.6 million, more than double the fast-food industry average. Its flagship Times Square location in New York City grossed $25 million in sales last year alone.
Cane’s real estate strategy is also deliberate. The company prioritizes locations with long-term potential, looking at community dynamics, population density, and proximity to schools and high-traffic areas. Kumaran said the chain focuses less on short-term profits and more on building stores that will remain relevant for decades.
That approach seems to be working. Cane’s ranks 18th on Technomic’s list of U.S. restaurant chains based on 2024 system sales, jumping 10 spots from the year before. If the momentum continues, the company could hit the top 10 sooner than anticipated.
Cane’s has also leveraged strategic marketing, including partnerships with celebrities like Post Malone and viral social media campaigns. But its real secret sauce remains the same: fresh chicken fingers, fast service and no gimmicks.
As Americans continue to gravitate toward chicken amid rising beef prices and evolving dietary habits, Cane’s clear, consistent brand and strong operational discipline put it in a strong position to keep climbing the ranks. The chicken wars may be far from over, but Raising Cane’s is proving that sometimes, sticking to what you do best is the most powerful strategy of all.
This achievement marks a pivotal moment for a brand that began with a single location near Louisiana State University in 1996. Cane’s has more than 900 locations across 42 states and expects to reach 1,000 restaurants by the end of 2025. Its growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing, even as economic uncertainty continues to weigh on consumer spending.
At the heart of Cane’s strategy is its unwavering commitment to simplicity. Unlike competitors that regularly rotate menu items or launch flashy seasonal promotions, Cane’s has stuck with its original menu: chicken fingers, fries, Texas toast, coleslaw and Cane’s Sauce. Even the sandwich option is just three chicken fingers tucked into a bun with lettuce and sauce. According to co-CEO AJ Kumaran, that consistency is key to customer loyalty.
“We do not get into value play. We do not get into limited-time offers,” said Kumaran. “When our customers pull into the drive-thru or walk through the doors, they immediately know what to expect.”
That reliability is paying off. Cane’s not only reported a 10.8 percent increase in customer traffic last year but also achieved its first $1 billion revenue quarter. According to Kumaran, the company is on track to reach founder Todd Graves’ long-term goal of becoming a top 10 U.S. restaurant chain, with more than $10 billion in annual sales.
Graves, who started the business at age 24 using money he earned working in an oil refinery and salmon fishing in Alaska, still owns the majority of the company. He remains closely involved in the business alongside Kumaran, a restaurant veteran who joined Cane’s in 2014 and became co-CEO in 2017.
Unlike most fast-food giants, Raising Cane’s avoids widespread franchising. While its competitors like KFC, Chick-fil-A, and Dave’s Hot Chicken operate mostly on franchise models, Cane’s owns and operates the vast majority of its restaurants. Only about 3 percent of Cane’s restaurants are franchised.
This model gives the company tighter control over operations and brand consistency, helping it achieve exceptional performance at the store level. In 2024, Cane’s reported an average unit volume of $6.6 million, more than double the fast-food industry average. Its flagship Times Square location in New York City grossed $25 million in sales last year alone.
Cane’s real estate strategy is also deliberate. The company prioritizes locations with long-term potential, looking at community dynamics, population density, and proximity to schools and high-traffic areas. Kumaran said the chain focuses less on short-term profits and more on building stores that will remain relevant for decades.
That approach seems to be working. Cane’s ranks 18th on Technomic’s list of U.S. restaurant chains based on 2024 system sales, jumping 10 spots from the year before. If the momentum continues, the company could hit the top 10 sooner than anticipated.
Cane’s has also leveraged strategic marketing, including partnerships with celebrities like Post Malone and viral social media campaigns. But its real secret sauce remains the same: fresh chicken fingers, fast service and no gimmicks.
As Americans continue to gravitate toward chicken amid rising beef prices and evolving dietary habits, Cane’s clear, consistent brand and strong operational discipline put it in a strong position to keep climbing the ranks. The chicken wars may be far from over, but Raising Cane’s is proving that sometimes, sticking to what you do best is the most powerful strategy of all.