Todd Graves, owner and founder of Raising Cane’s chicken finger chain, publicly revealed he doesn’t eat the coleslaw served at his own restaurants. The CEO made the confession during a viral Instagram interview with content creator Joe Bonham, which has already garnered 8.5 million views and over 457,000 likes. When asked about his typical order, Graves didn’t hesitate to share his preference: “Box Combo, no slaw, extra toast and extra sauce.” The admission sparked a massive online debate about the controversial side dish that has divided customers for nearly three decades.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Bonham pressed the CEO about his choice to skip the coleslaw entirely. Graves explained his reasoning with complete honesty, stating he simply doesn’t like the side dish enough to include it in his meal. The founder acknowledged that while some customers do enjoy it, he personally prefers to trade it out for extra Texas toast. This candid response resonated with millions of viewers who appreciated the transparency from a major restaurant chain executive.
Southern tradition meets personal preference in menu decision
When questioned about why coleslaw remains on the menu if even he doesn’t eat it, Graves provided insight into his original menu planning strategy. The CEO explained he wanted to include a vegetable component to balance the chicken finger meals. Coleslaw represented a traditional Southern side dish that fit the restaurant’s regional roots in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. However, Graves admitted he’s never been a fan of the dish personally, regardless of its cultural significance in Southern cuisine.
The founder emphasized that the coleslaw serves a specific purpose in his restaurant’s customization model. Customers can substitute the side dish for additional items like extra fries, extra Cane’s Sauce, or extra Texas toast. This flexibility allows diners to create their perfect meal combination. Graves noted that while he receives occasional feedback from coleslaw enthusiasts, they represent a minority of customers who actively enjoy the creamy, crisp side dish.
Viral video ignites heated debate among customers nationwide
The Instagram interview generated over 4,000 comments, with opinions sharply divided on the coleslaw controversy. Many commenters praised Graves for his honesty, with one popular response stating “Love an honest CEO.” Others chimed in with supportive messages like “He’s one of us” and “He knows what’s up.” The authentic admission appeared to strengthen customer loyalty rather than damage the brand’s reputation.
However, the comment section also revealed a passionate group of coleslaw defenders. One user’s declaration “I go double slaw” received an astounding 35,437 likes, though it was met with playful criticism. Responses included dramatic reactions such as “Criminal,” “Diabolical,” and “Federal prison for you.” Other defenders argued the slaw is underrated and claimed it’s actually the best part of the meal. The polarizing nature of the side dish became abundantly clear through the thousands of competing viewpoints.
- Potato salad as a heartier Southern-style alternative
- Pickles to add tangy crunch to the meal
- Mac and cheese for a creamy, comfort food option
- Additional vegetable options beyond traditional coleslaw
Founder stands firm on menu philosophy despite mixed reception
Graves addressed the controversy directly in an official statement, reaffirming his commitment to the existing menu structure. The CEO emphasized that Raising Cane’s focuses exclusively on serving craveable chicken finger meals and doing it better than anyone else. This singular focus explains why customers will never see limited-time offerings or rotating menu items at the restaurant chain. The founder believes in the principle of not fixing what isn’t broken, which extends to keeping the coleslaw despite personal preference.
The restaurant owner repeatedly fields questions about adding new items to the menu, and his answer remains consistently negative. Raising Cane’s has maintained the exact same menu since opening its first location in Baton Rouge nearly 30 years ago. The core offerings include chicken fingers, Cane’s Sauce, coleslaw, Cane’s toast, and crinkle-cut fries. This focused approach allows crew members to concentrate on perfecting a limited number of items rather than managing a complex, ever-changing menu. According to nutritional information on the restaurant’s website, a 3.1-ounce serving of the coleslaw contains 100 calories and is marketed as crisp, creamy, and freshly prepared.
One love principle drives consistent quality across 1,000 locations
Graves explained that the restaurant’s ethos centers around the “one love” principle, which enables the team to build the perfect box combo served hot, fast, and fresh every single time. The streamlined menu directly supports this philosophy by reducing complexity in kitchen operations. When the founder originally created the menu, he intentionally included the coleslaw as a substitution option. This strategy gives customers flexibility to assemble their ideal meal while maintaining operational simplicity.
The debate over Raising Cane’s coleslaw extends beyond Instagram to multiple Reddit forums where users passionately argue both sides. One post titled “Coleslaw is the best part of Raising Cane’s” appears on the unpopular opinion subreddit, while another forum features users questioning why the restaurant even bothers making the side dish. Raising Cane’s reached a major milestone in March by opening its 1,000th restaurant in Hollywood, California. The company’s website currently lists six new locations scheduled to open this month, demonstrating continued expansion despite the coleslaw controversy that refuses to die down among its devoted customer base.
