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At Raising Cane’s “Canecún” event, over 3,000 leaders noshed on wisdom from Snoop Dogg, Olympian Katie Ledecky, Todd Graves, and AJ Kumaran for a one-of-a-kind experience, and the results were delicious.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

 

 

Raising Cane’s recently held its annual “Canecún” event at the luxurious Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, bringing together more than 3,000 of its leaders and their significant others.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

The trip celebrated the dedication and hard work of the Raising Cane’s team as they prepared to close out a monumental year, with the company set to operate over 875 restaurants and hit nearly $5 billion in sales by the end of 2024.

The event was led by Raising Cane’s founder and owner Todd Graves, and provided an opportunity to reflect on the brand’s journey and continued growth while also recognizing the people who have been instrumental in its success.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

Graves emphasized that Cane’s has stayed true to its values, maintaining a focus on quality, consistency, and the well-being of its crew and customers alike.

“We take a lot of pride in serving what we call the ‘perfect box,’ and we know we owe it to our crew members to ensure that we deliver the best experience every day,” said Graves during the conference.

The festivities kicked off on Sunday with attendees arriving at the fully Cane ’s-branded resort, where they were treated to welcome receptions, branded swag, and a relaxed evening of drinks and music. The next day offered a blend of leisure activities like beach volleyball and yoga, alongside optional workshops such as “Making Millionaires” that explored Raising Cane’s Restaurant Partner Program.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s / Raising Cane’s

Graves’ message during the event was clear: Raising Cane’s is built on a foundation of strong values, driven by its people.

“Our secret sauce isn’t just in our food; it’s in how we operate. We grow the right way, taking care of our crew and staying true to what makes us successful.”

It’s A Dogg Eat Dogg World, But Snoop Says Raising Cane’s Can Withstand The Test Of Time

On Monday night, the crowd was electrified by a special fireside chat with Graves and Grammy-winning rapper and producer Snoop Dogg, followed by a concert where Snoop both performed and DJ’d.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

Snoop’s appearance at Canecún was more than just entertainment—it was a testament to his friendship with Graves and his admiration for Raising Cane’s values.

Snoop spoke about what he loves about Cane’s:

“Somebody was saying that Raising Cane’s only got chicken strips, french fries, and toast. I’m like, ‘S***, that’s all you need.’ It’s about quality and consistency.”

His words echoed Graves’ own philosophy about sticking to what they’re good at and not compromising.

“We haven’t changed in 28 years,” Graves noted. “We stay focused on our values, and that’s why people keep coming back.”

 

Snoop also shared personal reflections on leadership, family, and balancing a busy life. “I’ve got so much trust and faith in the people around me,” he said, adding that it’s important to lean on family and trusted partners. He described moments of connection, like when his wife FaceTimed him from Disneyland with their grandkids, emphasizing the importance of making time for the people who matter most.

“A great leader loves to listen and knows how to receive information,” Snoop continued. “You need to be able to listen to those who’ve helped make you successful.”

Snoop’s presence at Canecún wasn’t just about his star power; it was also about aligning with Raising Cane’s community-focused values.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

Graves presented Snoop with a gift of Bruce Lee’s famous nunchucks as a symbol of their partnership and mutual respect.

According to Graves, the opportunity to work with Snoop and other celebs who champion the brand as “Caniacs” like Post Malone is always a pleasure.

 

Hit the flip for more from Raising Cane’s “Canecún conference.

AJ Kumaran Detailed Cane’s “Secret Sauce” To Success

Raising Cane’s co-CEO AJ Kumaran also took the opportunity to share his thoughts on what drives the brand’s ongoing success, especially as it prepares for even greater growth.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

Speaking to BOSSIP, Kumaran explained that while many see the famous “Cane’s sauce” as a culinary secret, the real “secret sauce” is in how they operate.

“Our focus is on people—everything starts and ends with that,” Kumaran told BOSSIP at a press conference. “Most businesses, as they grow, stop using that discipline and focus on what truly matters. For us, it’s not just about chicken finger meals. Sure, we take a lot of pride in serving them as close to perfect as possible, but we also never forget the crew members who make it happen, the Believers who coach and train them, and the customers who keep coming back.”

Kumaran also emphasized that Cane’s success isn’t driven by financial goals alone.

We have financial plans, of course. We know where we want to go, but we aren’t driven by numbers—we’re driven by our values and our purpose,” he sad. “We want to be a top 10 U.S. restaurant brand in sales, but we want to get there the right way.”

He shared an example from Atlanta, where Cane’s delayed the opening of a new location to ensure that their managers were fully prepared.

“We aren’t cutting corners to hit deadlines,” Kumaran said. “We take the time to train and prepare because it’s about the details—making sure every customer gets the same quality experience every time.”

Kumaran’s philosophy aligns with the brand’s long-standing focus on doing what they do best while motivating its team to deliver consistent excellence.

“We don’t try to be all things to all people. We focus on what we’re good at, and we stick to that focus. That’s the secret sauce,” he added.

 

Olympian Katie Ledecky Championed Celebrating Leaders, Families, and Community

In addition to Snoop’s appearance, Raising Cane’s leaders had the chance to hear from nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, who delivered a keynote on perseverance, leadership, and goal-setting.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

Ledecky, who announced she would compete in the 2028 Olympics, shared her own experience of striving for excellence, a mindset that resonated with Cane’s leaders.

“You have to rely on people you trust to help get your mind back on track, and it’s important to have those people keep you steady through the highs and lows,” said Ledecky.

Ledecky also joined Graves and Kumaran on stage for a Q&A session where they discussed leadership styles, motivation, and the importance of lifting others up in times of doubt.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

Kumaran highlighted Raising Cane’s impressive growth and its plans for the future, noting that the company has had “63 consecutive quarters of positive same-restaurant sales.”

Raising Cane’s Canecún Conference Commenced With Camaraderie For The Beloved Brand, Ended With Entertainment & Enrichment

The event concluded on a high note with a spectacular drone and fireworks show, followed by more music and entertainment.

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s 

 

Raising Cane's

Source: Raising Cane’s

Tuesday was reserved for rest and relaxation, giving the attendees a chance to unwind before heading home.

Ultimately, as Raising Cane’s continues to grow, its commitment to its people remains front and center. Graves and his leadership team are focused on creating lasting opportunities for their crew, including long-term incentive programs that have already made several Restaurant Partners millionaires. With ambitious goals like operating over 1,600 restaurants, employing 150,000 crew members, and reaching $10 billion in sales, Raising Cane’s is on track to become a top 10 U.S. restaurant brand—all while staying true to its values.

“We’re just getting started,” said Graves. “The future is bright because of our people, our crew, and the way we care for each other.”

As Snoop Dogg so simply put it;

Being genuine, being ourselves, and staying focused on what we’re good at—that’s what it’s all about.”

And as AJ Kumaran added;

“It’s about sticking with that focus—day in, day out. That’s the secret sauce.”

 

–Dani Canada