Texas
Although Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers is not very well known across the country for having a large number of stores, it is present in 34 states. It is no surprise that Texas has the largest number of Raising Cane’s stores in the country with 167 locations. Although the mother ship store began in Baton Rouge, the seasoning and flavors are reminiscent of many recipes across America and allude to the American dream that Todd Graves desired for the rest of the country.
Todd Graves is exemplary of the American dream that combined his love of fried chicken strips into a business. Graves had known he wanted to open the restaurant chain extremely early on in his life, initially presenting the idea in his business course at school. Surprisingly, he achieved the lowest grade in the class, as the instructor believed it was not well thought out or imaginative. Of course, this did not stop Graves on his journey to prove everyone else wrong, and to serve his customers the best quality chicken strips in the country.
Pivoting on his business model, Graves donned the best suit he could afford at an early age to entice investors to help him build his dream. Every investor had shut him down, as they thought Graves was crazy for following a business model that was so simple it only offered chicken strips as a meal idea. Graves went to work as a boilermaker in California and a commercial fisherman in Alaska to earn enough money to begin his operations. In August of 1996, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers opened in Baton Rouge, and Graves used his entire life savings to go all in.
News quickly spread, and Texas adopted the franchise model years after they had heard of the success in Louisiana. There are currently 186 stores in Texas, where resident Texans love both the exotic flavor, the simplicity of the meals, the business model, and the dedication to the American dream.
California
For a chain that has predominantly spread along the south and southwest, many wonder how California has made it so close to the top of the list. California has 73 stores, a paltry sum compared to Texas' 167 - but represents the second largest number by volume. However, the issue with California is the density, as there are over 500,000 stores that can access the Raising Cane's vicinity. It is no secret that chains wish to open in California, as it experiences one of the largest influx of tourists each year, which makes old-school American recipes a fan favorite among the locals, touting them for both their flavor and the American dream.
Raising Cane's joins a plethora of other restaurants, but its flavor makes it a staple among locals that are looking for a quick bite to eat but do not wish to have the same style of service as fast food establishments.
Louisiana
Of course, it would be a surprise if Louisiana was not near the top of the list, as this is the home state for the growing food franchise. Although it only has 66 stores, it represents one of the highest densities, with only 73,000 people per store that can access its vicinity. This means that Louisiana natives are proud of their own story, which is difficult to penetrate through as there are hundreds of fried chicken restaurants within the state borders. Louisiana presents some of the most unique culinary dishes in the nation, combining European, Caribbean, and North American - oftentimes all under one roof.
Ohio
Ohio has a whopping 52 stores, but they are concentrated within the state's major cities and it has caught on quickly throughout the years. Ohio presents the most rapidly growing opportunity for further chains outside of Texas and the home base of Louisiana, as the locals enjoy the simple flavors, particularly in Columbus and Cincinnati.
Nevada
Comparably, the state of Nevada does not have many Raising Cane stores, which contrasts with other locations such as California, Texas, and Arizona. Interestingly, the chain is extremely popular, with a density of 171,000 people per store. Of the 18 locations, this means that a majority of the population has a Raising Cane relatively close by.
Nevada presents a fascinating case study, as 11 of the state's 18 locations are found in Las Vegas, the jewel of the desert. This means that a majority of the local population, bolstered by the active tourism industry, loves to savor the recipes that Raising Cane's chicken fingers have to offer.
