Raising Cane’s CEO to star in reality show

The show features six millionaires who go undercover in some of the hardest-hit areas of the country to help those in need.

"It was one of most inspiring things I've ever done in my life," said Graves, 36.

Fox sent him to a coastal Louisiana community still trying to recover from Hurricane Katrina, which struck in 2005. The New Orleans-born, Baton Rouge-raised entrepreneur had to spend a week living and working with his neighbors before deciding which of them will receive at least $100,000 of his money.

"Going back to eating ramen noodles and hamburger meat cooked 30 different ways, it really brought me back," Graves said. "I don't live this crazy, lavish lifestyle. I have a very nice lifestyle, but living on a budget really brought me back."

If living on a budget brought Graves back, it brought him back to cold nights on the Alaskan shores, where he worked as a salmon fisherman after college, and the refineries of Los Angeles, where he was a boilermaker. Graves worked these jobs to raise money for the first Raising Canes chicken finger store, which he opened with friend and partner Craig Silvey in 1996.

When asked for one word to sum up every entrepreneur needs, Graves responded "passion."

"It's got to be real passion. It is so hard to start your own business. Even if you're told 'no' 99 out of 100 times, one out of 100 times someone will say, 'That's great: make it work.'"

Passion is why Graves said he kept pushing for a chicken fingers-only chain, a business plan he submitted to his college professors (he graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia) and received "the lowest grade in the class." Today, there are 75 Raising Cane's stores in 13 states, a $125 million company.

Graves will be joined on "Secret Millionaire" by an Internet startup mogul, a magazine founder and other millionaires in their quest to find America's unsung heroes from places like New Orleans, a coal-mining town in Pennsylvania, Las Vegas and elsewhere.

Graves said the show's philanthropic aspect is what drew him to it, and he credited that same attitude as inspiration for the friendly Cane's staff.

"The reason our crew is so friendly, such great people, it's because we're doing this for the right reason," Graves said. "We want to give back to the community."

As for all those questions you might have about Graves:

Yes, Cane's is doing well financially. Sales have been up lately, which Graves attributes to more people wanting to eat out for cheap.

No, Graves is not thinking about running for office.

No, he is not happy about state of Georgia Bulldogs football right now.

No, he has no plans to get another Raising Cane, the dog after which he named the company. Graves' current dog is actually Raising Canes the Second, is a she and is 9 years old.

And no, he cannot tell you what's in the special sauce. "I hate to be cliche, but I really would have to kill you," Graves said with a chuckle.

As for what's next, Graves said the only answer is more: more business, more success and more Raising Cane's.

"I want to grow everywhere we can. ... I want to grow old in this business."

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20081203/NEWS01/812030347