As the world struggles to meet the demands of rising costs, layoffs and hiring slowdowns, one thing manages to stay the same at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers: providing great food and a great workplace.
The company has grown tremendously since its launch in 1996, now with 700 restaurants in 36 states and five countries.
To much fanfare, the company brought its first Orange County restaurant to Costa Mesa in 2015. It now has 11 eateries in the county.
Company officials told the Register they have more than 50 new restaurants under construction globally.
Founded in Baton Rouge, La. and now based in Plano, Texas, Raising Cane’s prides itself on offering one simple entree: battered chicken fingers. Sides include crinkle-cut fries, a hearty slice of Texas toast and coleslaw. Customers, known fondly as Caniacs, can choose from a variety of dipping sauces, with the signature sauce standing out above the others.
This year marks the third consecutive time Raising Cane’s has been honored as a Top Workplace in Orange County.
The management team said it works hard to take care of its customers and the entire Cane’s team. This is reflected in comments by employees taking the Top Workplace survey.
“I get to give back to the community and help customers daily,” one worker wrote. Another said the managers “care about me as a person and value my time and work balance.”
The team also goes out of its way to make new employees feel welcome.
“All my coworkers are very welcoming,” wrote one local employee. “I am new and they all made it a point to introduce themselves or get to know me in some way. As I’m been being trained, they’ve been patient with me, answered all my questions, forgiving me as I made multiple mistakes. I couldn’t have asked for a better first job. Canes will forever have my heart!”
We asked Blake Maggard, area leader of Raising Cane’s Restaurants in south Orange County, to share more about the chain’s success and its work environment.
Q: Raising Cane’s is constantly growing and progressing. How does management handle all the change?
You know it really is simple: it comes down to taking care of our customers, both new and loyal, our people, and our culture. We pride ourselves in having fun and always serving the perfect box with a smile. We always work smarter and not harder as one big family. We will do whatever it takes to grow restaurants all over the world!
Q: How do you promote a healthy work environment and what specifically do you do to retain employees?
I have always said we are in the business of people and just happen to serve hot, fresh “Chicken Finger Meals.” I mean, who wouldn’t want to work for Cane’s? We offer all major holidays off so crew can spend time with their families and friends. In this industry, that is unheard of. Raising Cane’s even closes 30 minutes after kickoff for the Super Bowl. The list goes on. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg, though.
Q: How have rising prices and worker demands affected business and company culture at Raising Cane’s?
A: This year has seen a lot of changes, indeed, but as a company, we have always done what is right for our customers and crew. We will always adapt and adjust to change.
A great example I remember personally came during the pandemic. We stayed open to serve our food. We wanted to be that option they had. In fact, we were the busiest we have seen in some of our drive-throughs ever. That just shows how we live and breathe our culture. We are the place to be and work.
Q: What sets you apart from other fast-food restaurants?
A: Raising Cane’s is similar in many ways to some of the other successful quick service restaurants, but what really sets us apart is our simple menu. We offer five items and haven’t changed the menu in over 25 years. We want to stay focused and be great at what we do, which is serving the perfect box. We jam in our front of house and back of house with music that was chosen from our crew members.
And you can’t forget we offer flexible schedules. With a great story to share and a Crew Journey Career Path inside and outside of our four walls, the sky is the limit.
Q: What advice would you give to other fast food companies or businesses in general who are dealing with a fast-moving economy?
A: That is a tough one, I would rather keep it simple and always say stay strong in any moment, be confident and never give up. Be there for your people and your community and great things will always happen!
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Founded: 1996
Headquarters: Plano, Texas
Industry: Fast Food
Orange County employees: 1,251
Website: raisingcanes.com
Quote: “We take pride in what we do – to serve the perfect box, fast, friendly and clean, while having fun!” — Blake Maggard, Area Leader of Raising Cane’s Restaurants in south Orange County.
