Raising Cane's Brings 3,000 Employees To Cancun With Snoop

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source: 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