Raising Cane’s finds focus leads to sales, unit growth in 2020

During the 2020 pandemic year, Datassential tracked Raising Cane’s to a 12.1% growth in units and 7% growth in sales.

AJ Kumaran, co-CEO of the Baton Rouge, La.-based fast-casual brand, said he expects “2021 is going to be even bigger and better” for the limited-service chicken tender concept.

“We have aspirations to build about another 85 new restaurants and enter about 15 to 20 new markets in the next 12 months, which is incredible growth,” he said. “We are entering our 31st state [Wisconsin] coming up here soon in Milwaukee.”

Raising Cane’s, which was founded in 1996 by co-CEO Todd Graves, has honed in on its spare menu for the past 25 years.

“People call it simple. But it's not simple, it's focused,” Kumaran said. “And focus is hard. Focus is not easy.”