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Entrepreneur
2 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Raising Cane's CEO Shares His Mindset for a Billion-Dollar Success
Todd Graves was turned down by every bank in town when he started. Here, he sits down to share his mentality on success, leadership and building a billion-dollar brand. This story appears in the July 2025 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe » When Raising Cane's opened a new restaurant in Miami, it hired local influencers to hype it up. That included two of the city's buzziest names — Hanna and Haley Cavinder, twins who rose to fame while playing basketball for the Miami Hurricanes, and cofounded the TWOgether fitness app and Hustle Beauty brand for athletes. Recently, we asked the twins what entrepreneur they'd most like to talk with. They circled right back to that chicken restaurant — and said they'd love to meet Raising Cane's billionaire founder, Todd Graves. They'd seen his business from the outside, but they wanted to understand it from the inside. And Graves, who believes that partnerships are the key to success, was eager to meet and learn from them too. So we brought the three of them together for a conversation. In turn, they drew up a game plan for growth — in business and in sports. This conversation was part of a new series we call The Playbook, produced in partnership with Sports Illustrated. We pair entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial athletes for career-spanning conversations. Here's an edited version of their conversation; you can watch the full video here. Related: 5 Work Ethic Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Elite Athletes Haley Cavinder: When you started Raising Cane's, did people understand what you wanted to build? Todd Graves: I got turned down by every bank in town, because it was a weird concept back then: Just chicken-finger meals. Other restaurants were adding more items to add more sales. The only model I could think of was In-N-Out Burger — which primarily sells hamburgers — but nobody in Louisiana, where I started, had heard of that. But I just believed in myself. I said, "If you can serve a 'craveable' meal consistently, over and over and over, it's going to be a success." So I knew I had to take it into my own hands. I worked in oil refineries, I worked as a boilermaker, I worked in commercial fishing in Alaska — all to make money for this business. The fishermen in Alaska could see me working so hard for this chicken-finger dream, and they'd tell me, "You're going to make it." That was my first encouraging group. Image Credit: Courtesy of Jeffrey A. Salter | Sports Illustrated Haley: Once you got going, what was the hardest part? Todd: When we started, we didn't really know what we were doing. We were open seven days a week — and we still are. But back then, the college students I hired wouldn't show up to work. So I'd call friends, call family: "I need you to come help me cover this shift." I didn't do much sleeping. We were open every night until 3:30 a.m. By the time we got out, it'd be 5:30, and then we had to be back opening at 8:30 every morning. Haley: Jeez. Todd: There is not a balance of life at a startup. You have to put 100% into it. It's why I started Cane's when I was y'all's age. I opened up at 24, and at that time I could devote everything. It was that drive, that passion. Look, I profited $30 my first month, and I was thrilled. Because it meant I could pay my people, I could pay my vendors, I could pay rent. That's when I knew this was going to be a success. The next hard phase was going from one restaurant to two. I didn't know how to build teams. I got as much advice as I could, but it was more about learning through trial and error. I burned through people. I felt bad about that, not knowing what I was doing. Then I learned to get the most out of people and be able to coach 'em and lead 'em to where they became managers. Now we have 75,000 crew members, and I have a platform to teach them. For most of them, Raising Cane's is their first job. So I tell them: "Work hard. Have fun. Let's deliver quality product. Let's earn our money." Related: Smart Entrepreneurs Don't Leap Without Looking — Here's How to Strategically Approach Starting a Business Haley: Darn, you make a good coach, too! Hanna Cavinder: You played football, correct? I feel like that started with the athlete mindset. Todd: A hundred percent. I learned leadership through sports. For example, when someone does something wrong in business, leaders might think, Oh, I'll talk to them about that in a couple days. But coaches don't do that! They course-correct right then. Haley: In the moment. Todd: And the culture is: Everybody's always trying to get better. Mistakes don't mean you're bad. We have a culture where it's okay to make mistakes — but we need to learn from 'em. How has playing basketball helped you with starting and growing your businesses? Hanna: We learned consistency and discipline. You have to show up every single day, regardless of the highs and lows. Haley: We also learned how to get the most out of a group of people. When you all have one common goal, it doesn't matter what someone's past is, or where they come from. You just ask: How can we all accomplish this? Also, recognize that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. That's true even for Hanna and I, but we have one goal: to be successful. And you can't fake it. If you feel like your coach is just saying empty things to you, you don't want to show up for them. You need people to think, I want to show up and do this because they really care about me. Todd: That's true. The crew's happier. They're working better. It affects quality. It affects everything else. Hanna: Also, we learned how to respond to things outside our control. It's like, "Okay, the coach didn't play me. I can't control that. So what can I control and still have success?" Related: Why Every Athlete Should Think Like a Startup Founder Image Credit: Courtesy of Jeffrey A. Salter | Sports Illustrated Todd: You're years ahead of your time. I literally tried to control everything and make everything so perfect. One of the biggest lessons I learned was: Concentrate on progress rather than perfection. For example, I wouldn't release my first training manual because I kept thinking, I've got to make it better. But people were like, "Hey, just do version one. Then work on that." That was good advice. You've built a great community for your businesses. What is your secret sauce for bringing people together? Haley: When we started our health and fitness businesses, we thought a lot about having a purpose. And that purpose is to help young girls. That allows us to stay happy and in a good mindset. Hanna: That helps us through hard times, too. For example, we both had an eating disorder — but we were able to turn it into a positive for other people by making an app to help them eat better. It was like, "We're going to impact a little girl, or somebody who's struggling in life, and that's a win in itself." Todd: That's purpose. Haley: That's the passion that keeps you going. Todd: Look, if you love what you do, you'll do it till the day you die. In business, people often value money and wealth more than purpose. That's why so many great entrepreneurs sell out early on. Then their company is bought by private equity, and it doesn't have the same values. You lose that special founder deal. People ask me, "Hey, what's your endgame?" I'm gonna grow old and die with this business, and the kids are gonna take it on and keep those values going, and then hopefully their kids, and we'll just keep those values going forever. Hanna: There's never an endgame. Todd: I love that. Ready to break through your revenue ceiling? Join us at Level Up, a conference for ambitious business leaders to unlock new growth opportunities.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From Collegiate Basketball to Boob Jobs: Cavinder Twins Open Up About Their Double Surgery
Image via Instagram (Haley Cavinder) Breast augmentation among basketball players is a rare topic, especially when it involves two former NCAA stars doing it together. But leave it to Hanna and Haley Cavinder, the influencer duo and former college hoopers, to break the mold. On July 16, the 24-year-old Cavinder twins revealed to their 4.6 million TikTok followers that they had undergone breast augmentation surgery together. Just a month earlier, they had teased the decision, and now, true to their open-book style, they have brought fans along for the ride. Haley and Hanna Cavinder Undergo Breast Augmentation Surgery Never ones to shy away from humor or honesty, the Cavinder twins kicked off their surgery reveal with a bold TikTok while being in the gym, "Say goodbye to these little, itty, bitty t–ties, bitches, because 24 hours from now, I'm gonna have a rack.' In another short clip from the hospital, Hanna walked up to the camera with Haley lying in bed and being attended by a nurse. She wrote in the caption, 'Still trying to figure out how being 3 minutes older means she gets her job first.' Post-op, they continued the lighthearted vibe, sharing recovery footage that included Hanna looking hilariously dazed from anesthesia while Haley, ever the gym rat, was already chatting about when she could get back to her workouts. Their mom, Katie Cavinder, even made a cameo, handing Hanna coffee to help her wake up. Haley also admitted it was her first time being put under anesthesia, making the whole experience both new and a little nerve-wracking for the twins. From the Court to Content Queens Before their influencer fame, Hanna and Haley were known for their basketball skills. They began their college careers at Fresno State, where Haley was named Mountain West Player of the Year in 2020–21. Later, they transferred to the University of Miami, where they helped lead the Hurricanes to their first-ever Elite Eight appearance. Following a short stint training at the WWE Performance Center, the twins returned to Miami for one final season, officially wrapping up their collegiate basketball careers in 2025. The Cavinder Twins Are More Than Just Athletes The Cavinders are standout examples of the new era of college athletes who leveraged the NCAA's 2021 NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rule to build massive brands. With millions of followers across platforms, they have inked deals with Under Armour, Boost Mobile, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Champs Sports. They even launched their own fitness and wellness app, TWOgether, offering custom workout routines and nutrition guidance. Now, with basketball in the past, the twins are leaning fully into fitness content, brand partnerships, and lifestyle vlogging. Also read: LeBron James embraces Victor Wembanyama after San Antonio Spurs star gets medical clearance to return to basketball action Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Entrepreneur
07-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Cavinder Twins and Raising Cane's Owner & Founder on Success
Todd Graves, owner and founder of Raising Cane's, and Hanna and Haley Cavinder, NIL trailblazers and entrepreneurs, discuss the passion and drive it takes to succeed in business on the new episode of "The Playbook." "I don't think entrepreneurs are created — entrepreneurs are born." So says Todd Graves, the billionaire owner and founder of Raising Cane's, the chicken finger casual dining chain with over 900 restaurants nationwide. Graves joined twin sisters Hanna and Haley Cavinder, former University of Miami basketball players who became trailblazers in the NIL space, to talk about the drive it takes to succeed in business on a new episode of The Playbook. On each episode of The Playbook, produced by Sports Illustrated and Entrepreneur, athletes and entrepreneurs come together to share advice and lessons they've learned along their paths to greatness. Related: 'Hustle Like You're Broke': Michael Strahan Shares the Mindset That Drives His Success Although their businesses might vary greatly — Graves runs a restaurant empire while Hanna and Haley are influencers who created the TWOgether fitness app and co-founded Hustle Beauty for athletes — there is crossover in how they pursue their passions. It starts with showing up like an athlete. "It was very seamless when we got into the NIL space and then started our own business," Hanna says. "All of those traits from college athletics carried over. The discipline and routine and the commitment to give 100% because there are other people relying on you." Graves feels the same way. "You might be tired one day, but people show up to our restaurants and are willing to pay good money, so you've got to deliver." Graves, Hanna and Haley also believe in the power of connecting with customers through authenticity. "People love founder-driven businesses because a founder cares, and their business is an extension of them," Graves says. Haley adds that being positive and honest on social media has been the key to nurturing their community of millions. "That really helped us when we started the health and fitness side of things," she says. Putting out genuine content that spoke about mental health helped them build lasting relationships with their followers, and they say the feedback they've gotten keeps them fulfilled and eager to do more. Related: "You Have to Grow Up Fast": How This College Athlete Became a CEO Before Turning 18 Watch the entire conversation to get these amazing entrepreneurs' insights on how getting a "no" can be the best thing to fuel your drive, and learn the pivotal moments that showed them that they were on the right path. As Graves notes, "Champions are always thinking, Hey, what can we do next?"
Entrepreneur
06-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Cavinder Twins and Raising Cane's CEO on Success
Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane's, and Hanna and Haley Cavinder, NIL trailblazers and entrepreneurs, discuss the passion and drive it takes to succeed in business on the new episode of "The Playbook." "I don't think entrepreneurs are created — entrepreneurs are born." So says Todd Graves, the billionaire founder and CEO of Raising Cane's, the chicken finger casual dining chain with over 900 restaurants nationwide. Graves joined twin sisters Hanna and Haley Cavinder, former University of Miami basketball players who became trailblazers in the NIL space, to talk about the drive it takes to succeed in business on a new episode of The Playbook. On each episode of The Playbook, produced by Sports Illustrated and Entrepreneur, athletes and entrepreneurs come together to share advice and lessons they've learned along their paths to greatness. Related: 'Hustle Like You're Broke': Michael Strahan Shares the Mindset That Drives His Success Although their businesses might vary greatly — Graves runs a restaurant empire while Hanna and Haley are influencers who created the TWOgether fitness app and co-founded Hustle Beauty for athletes — there is crossover in how they pursue their passions. It starts with showing up like an athlete. "It was very seamless when we got into the NIL space and then started our own business," Hanna says. "All of those traits from college athletics carried over. The discipline and routine and the commitment to give 100% because there are other people relying on you." Graves feels the same way. "You might be tired one day, but people show up to our restaurants and are willing to pay good money, so you've got to deliver." Graves, Hanna and Haley also believe in the power of connecting with customers through authenticity. "People love founder-driven businesses because a founder cares, and their business is an extension of them," Graves says. Haley adds that being positive and honest on social media has been the key to nurturing their community of millions. "That really helped us when we started the health and fitness side of things," she says. Putting out genuine content that spoke about mental health helped them build lasting relationships with their followers, and they say the feedback they've gotten keeps them fulfilled and eager to do more. Related: "You Have to Grow Up Fast": How This College Athlete Became a CEO Before Turning 18 Watch the entire conversation to get these amazing entrepreneurs' insights on how getting a "no" can be the best thing to fuel your drive, and learn the pivotal moments that showed them that they were on the right path. As Graves notes, "Champions are always thinking, Hey, what can we do next?"
