Todd Graves, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, is known for his hands-on approach to leading his fast-food empire, but his secret to managing both his business and family life goes beyond hard work. In a recent interview with CNBC Make It, Graves, 52, shared how his strategy of meticulous planning—what he calls “extreme logistics”—helps him balance his 15-16 hour workdays with quality time for his family.
Graves wakes up at 4:30 am, even while on vacation, to get a head start on his day. By the time his family is up around 11 am, he has already completed several hours of work, ensuring that he is fully present for family activities. “I’m as busy as anybody I know, I travel as much as anybody I know, but I can work my schedule where I can make most of the things I need to be at with kids, family, or important friends,” he told CNBC Make It.
For Graves, family time is non-negotiable. He schedules it into his calendar with the same level of importance as meetings with business partners or investors. His goal is to be fully engaged during those moments. “You might be tired, but you’re not going to be dragging around… You’re going to be just as enthusiastic for those special times with your family,” he explained.
In fact, Graves goes to great lengths to integrate work and family life. On occasion, his wife has brought their children to his office for dinner and playtime, allowing Graves to catch up with them before bedtime. This blend of work and personal life helps him stay grounded, preventing him from losing sight of his priorities while building Raising Cane’s into the national fast-food brand it is today.
The concept of “extreme logistics” is central to Graves’ approach. He plans his day with military precision, a method that mirrors productivity techniques like timeboxing, where specific tasks are assigned fixed time slots. This allows him to make the most of each day, ensuring that he can focus on critical business tasks while also being there for his family. Graves works long hours—often 15 to 16 hours a day—but his ability to plan ahead ensures he remains fully engaged when it matters most.
Graves’ focus on balance is a key reason behind the success of Raising Cane’s, the chicken finger chain he founded nearly three decades ago in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a multi-billion-dollar operation with over 700 locations across the United States. But even as the company expands, Graves remains committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
His approach is a reflection of his larger philosophy: the idea that success is not just about scaling a business but also about maintaining the personal relationships that matter most. “There’s always something to work on, and you’ll just constantly do it, so it’s about being very diligent on planning,” Graves said.
Graves’ method may seem extreme to some, but it’s a testament to the power of intentionality and structure in achieving both personal and professional fulfillment. By carefully managing his time and priorities, he has been able to build one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the U.S. while remaining a dedicated father and husband—a balancing act that many entrepreneurs could learn from.
