Leadership is a big word, and sometimes a nebulous one. What makes a leader? And more importantly, what makes a good one? In the world of business today, it’s sometimes hard to get a clear definition. And yet, it’s companies like Raising Canes, the leaders they have, and the ones they surround themselves with that set the standard for what that word means.
During the Canecún conference, the restaurant, which is set to operate more than 875 Restaurants and eclipse nearly $5B in sales by the end of the year, hosted more than 3,000 Raising Cane’s leaders and their significant others at Moon Palace Resort in Cancun. It also showcased its leadership style by hosting fireside chats with two very different but impactful leaders: Snoop Dogg and Katie Ledecky, who alongside Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves and co-CEO and COO AJ Kumaran highlighted what a true leader looks like.
“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. That kind of mentality extends to the people, who not just feel the appreciation from the leadership, they reciprocate it. It is, after all, not every company that takes you to Cancun to celebrate the fact that you are doing a good job. And that brings your significant other along with you!
“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.”
But the conference wasn’t just about giving employees a good trip, it was also about the type of company Raising Canes is and how much of that comes back to the leaders they have and the leaders they surround themselves with. That’s why conversations like the ones with Snoop Dogg proved so instrumental when it came to showcasing Raising Canes’ brand of leadership.
“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,” Snoop shared as he and Todd Graves discussed leadership and what makes Raising Canes so successful. “Leaders don’t dictate – they delegate.”
They also support their team, something Graves and Kumaran have proven very successful at. Raising Canes has had 4,500 internal promotions in the last 12 months, and has seen $30M+ paid out in long-term incentives to Restaurant Partners, with a goal to have 50% of Restaurant Leaders as Restaurant Partners by the end of this decade.
Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, a different kind of leader, spoke to the power of building a community and chasing your dream while confirming she would compete in the 2028 Olympics – and that yes, Raising Canes was her favorite cheat meal – during the conference as well, saying: “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.”
Ledecky shared that leadership isn’t a straight path and that it isn’t without doubts. But those doubts can actually make you stronger, as long as you have the right team around you and you know how to set the right goals to motivate you. “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.”
For Ledecky, leadership isn’t just about actively trying to lead, it’s about the day-to-day, and that’s something you can see and feel translates in the Raising Canes brand. “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.”
What’s Raising Canes? It’s a restaurant that sells chicken, first and foremost. But it’s also a cool place to work at, and be part of. That last part might just be the most important one.
