It’s a weekday at a local restaurant in Houston. Inside, the dining room is decked out like an authentic Hawaiian luau; outside a Kona shaved ice truck idles at the curb. A dozen or so people are handing out colorful balloons to fellow well-wishers, cheering on the celebration’s star. The honoree is a little girl who’s receiving a trip to Hawaii, fully paid, courtesy of Make-A-Wish and Raising Cane’s. For most restaurants, this type of philanthropy is a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. But at Raising Cane’s, an outpouring of support by its employees for the community is an everyday thing. “One Dream, One Love is our motto and we live it every day,” says Tiffanie Gupton, Area Leader of Marketing and Community Liaison for the Houston, Lake Charles and Beaumont regions. With the help of 18 regional locations, Tiffanie has helped organize grassroots campaigns to support local charities as wide ranging as no-kill animal shelters, food banks, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Explains Tiffanie, “I get to interact with our community members and really find out what the needs are and see how Raising Cane’s can be part of their story.”

Over the last 28 years, Raising Cane’s has become synonymous for two things: delicious chicken fingers and incredible growth. After all, the company founded by Todd Graves in 1999, now has over 800 locations in 40+ states and boasts an evaluation worth $9.5 billion. The concept’s success is not only attributable to its insanely craveable chicken fingers, it’s also because of the company’s unique work culture, one that prioritizes giving back both to its employees and the communities it serves. It’s no wonder the company has been named a Top Workplace USA, a distinction awarded outstanding companies by the nation's leading employer recognition program. The Top Workplaces distinction is earned based solely on employee feedback. It cannot be bought or lobbied for. Only companies with a strong support culture earn this distinction. At Raising Cane’s, that culture equates to an inspiring mix of fun, hard work, and giving back. It’s a top-down culture. Their founder, Todd, worked 90 hours a week as a boilermaker at an oil refinery and then a fisherman off the coast of Alaska to raise the capital to open his first Raising Cane’s location. According to those who work for the company, Todd has always prioritized giving both to his employees and to charity. More than 30,000 local organizations and nonprofits are supported through the brand's restaurants totaling more than $100 million in funds donated over the past 28 years. During the pandemic, Raising Cane’s stood out among restaurant brands by not firing a single employee, a fact that drew Danielle Methvin to the company.

“At end of the day, it's about identifying great people,” says Danielle, who now works for the brand as Houston’s Area Leader of Recruiting and is responsible for finding the best potential hires. “Our people-centric culture is so much different than anywhere else I’ve worked.” Danielle says she looks for people who have the skill set to be an operator, but also have a fun personality that aligns with Raising Cane’s values. Finding the right people is a huge driver of the overall customer experience. Because the concept is not a franchise it’s of paramount importance that every location reflects Raising Cane’s culture—whether that be fundraising for local charities or jamming out to an employee-made playlist. “It’s about the three Rs,” she says. “Respect, recognize and reward.” Raising Cane’s’ value system keeps good people engaged at this Top Workplace. Research has shown that employees value being respected and having a voice in the workplace, along with positive relationships with their coworkers, as two of the most important aspects of a good job. Raising Cane’s has both in abundance, as well as great benefits and compensation.

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"Our people-centric culture is so much different than anywhere else I’ve worked."

Danielle Methvin, Houston’s Area Leader of Recruiting

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“I have never worked as hard in my life, but I've never had this much fun in my life, either,” Danielle stresses. “My leadership team is constantly supporting me. They’re there for me, no questions asked. And that’s imperative when it comes to my success and the company's success as a whole.” For Tiffanie, the pitch for why you’d want to work for Raising Cane’s is simple. “You’re going to have a blast here,” she says. “And while you’re having fun, you’ll be given an incredible opportunity to grow.” Tiffanie notes how crew members regularly go through the brand’s management program, and even become restaurant partners. “You can really make a lot of money and have a great time doing it.” Raising Cane’s is a Top Workplace, as voted on by its employees, and a leader in the community supporting some of Houston’s most vital and integral nonprofits. Learn more about the brand’s success at https://www.raisingcanes.com/home/.

How Raising Cane’s ONE LOVE Conquered the Industry with Craveable Chicken Finger Meals, Cool Crew and Community Involvement

By StoryStudio on November 11, 2024

"One Dream, One Love is our motto and we live it every day"

Tiffanie Gupton, Area Leader of Marketing and Community Liaison

ONE LOVE