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re: Anyone here familiar with Todd Graves and other co-founder bought out early on?
Posted on 7/14/25 at 11:27 am to Saunson69
Posted on 7/14/25 at 11:27 am to Saunson69
When most people think about Apple computer 2 names pop up the Steve's Jobs and Wozniak. But there was a 3rd person during the start up Ronald Wayne. Think he made a bad choice: " Ronald Wayne, one of Apple's original co-founders, sold his 10% stake in the company for $800. This occurred in 1976, just 12 days after Apple was founded, according to Wikipedia and CNBC. He cited concerns about potential debts and the demanding nature of working with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak as reasons for his departure. Today, that 10% stake would be worth approximately $300 billion".
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Posted on 7/14/25 at 11:28 am to Saunson69
I thought TG had to sell some equity after Katrina wrecked some of his stores. wonder where those folks are at
Posted on 7/14/25 at 11:32 am to Saunson69
I remember being a Baileys regular and then the canes buyout of that location and thought what’s the big deal about this chicken finger thing? What Graves has done with it since then is amazing.
Other than that I have nothing to contribute to this thread.
Other than that I have nothing to contribute to this thread.
Posted on 7/14/25 at 11:49 am to Saunson69
quote:I am not, but here's what I will say from afar:
Anyone here familiar with Todd Graves and other co-founder bought out early on?
When it was disclosed 2 years ago on Bloomberg that he still controlled 90% of the equity, I was astounded. That is basically unheard of, especially for low-margin businesses like food.
It made me think he must have been incredibly iron-fisted over the years, possibly even wresting back control of equity via means that might be technically legal, but possibly unethical
Posted on 7/14/25 at 12:00 pm to Saunson69
I knew of a guy that started Grey Matter Technology and took a buy-out and eventually wound up teaching Chemistry and cooking Meth.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 5:33 am to Saunson69
Craig must have been the guy that I debated in a marketing class that Canes was too niche and would likely fail with its Siegen Ln store because most humans don’t want to hear System of a Down playing while they eat with their family.
They really went into full expansion mode when Ian was COO. He left to turn Lava Cantina into something like House of Blues and then Todd started flying celebs around the states as a favor which lead to the celebrity branding that really pushed them over.
At least that’s what I’ve seen from afar.
It sucks some of the guys along the way aren’t billionaires, but that’s how the game works. That said Stuff should be a billionaire.
They really went into full expansion mode when Ian was COO. He left to turn Lava Cantina into something like House of Blues and then Todd started flying celebs around the states as a favor which lead to the celebrity branding that really pushed them over.
At least that’s what I’ve seen from afar.
It sucks some of the guys along the way aren’t billionaires, but that’s how the game works. That said Stuff should be a billionaire.
Posted on 7/15/25 at 10:29 am to LSUSports247
Bailey’s toast >>>> Cane’s toast
Posted on 7/15/25 at 2:00 pm to Pelican fan99
quote:
quote:
All I know is that Cane's no longer sell chicken strips...they only sell chicken nuggets
this is so over exaggerated on here
Compare the canes chicken size to 10 years ago. Easily half the size, on average. And 3X the price.
A few years ago I won "Canes for a Year". I got a canes box once a week.
Prior to that I would get heroin-like cravings for that sauce. Now I'll get a box once or twice a year, usually when travelling, simply because its simple to order and consistent.
Posted on 7/16/25 at 8:35 am to Big Scrub TX
quote:
It made me think he must have been incredibly iron-fisted over the years, possibly even wresting back control of equity via means that might be technically legal, but possibly unethical
Dude, he bought back all of the franchises, one by one. I know a few that are retired at 45 years old with millions in the bank. As I said before, Todd does not burn bridges and he paid fairly and reasonable to buy back his franchises. It is quite remakable.
Posted on 7/16/25 at 9:10 am to Camp Randall
Canes didn't buy out the Bailey's location. Canes built on the opposite side of the street to try to shut Bailey's down. It worked.
Posted on 7/16/25 at 9:57 am to eatpie
quote:
Compare the canes chicken size to 10 years ago. Easily half the size, on average. And 3X the price.
You can say the same about all fast food. More expensive and smaller portions. I haven't eaten at canes much, my kids love it, but I never felt like the tenders were noticeably tiny. I don't doubt they were much bigger years ago, but for new customers its obviously not a major issue.
Given that, OP there's 100s of thousands of people that got out early with start ups that eventually fail and there's the same amount that get out on ones that do extremely well. Its water under the bridge.
If he took that same buyout and put it in Apple or Tesla or bitcoin or whatever, he would have Millions also.
Posted on 7/16/25 at 11:51 am to baldona
It's easy to Monday morning QB these things, but if you've ever been a part of a growing startup, it's easy to see how this happens.
It takes almost an insane amount of belief, work, stress, fortitude, and risk to grow to the levels of a Canes or of an Apple. In many cases, to the point of the idea or vision being asinine to anyone but the founder. If you're a worker in the early stages, that long term vision can be hard to believe in, even when you're that close to the sun.
There's a reason so few of these companies or stories exist. It's because so few people are capable of getting the business there.
It takes almost an insane amount of belief, work, stress, fortitude, and risk to grow to the levels of a Canes or of an Apple. In many cases, to the point of the idea or vision being asinine to anyone but the founder. If you're a worker in the early stages, that long term vision can be hard to believe in, even when you're that close to the sun.
There's a reason so few of these companies or stories exist. It's because so few people are capable of getting the business there.
This post was edited on 7/16/25 at 11:52 am
Posted on 7/20/25 at 11:08 am to Motorboat
I complained to corporate about the smaller sizes, was told they get there chicken from 3 different suppliers.
Posted on 7/20/25 at 1:23 pm to sjak
quote:
complained to corporate about the smaller sizes, was told they get there chicken from 3 different suppliers.
Canes got you good there, shifting the blame. The suppliers grow the chicken to Cane’s requirement. Canes has obviously lowered the requirement so they can get more chicken fingers due to their rapid expansion, though the fingers will be smaller since the birds will be younger. They likely cost less as well, so double benefit to Canes
Posted on 7/20/25 at 2:54 pm to Camp Randall
quote:
I remember being a Baileys regular and then the canes buyout of that location
Did they buyout Baileys, or did they just put them out of business?
Posted on 7/20/25 at 10:42 pm to PhifeDogg
quote:
Did they buyout Baileys, or did they just put them out of business?
They got put out of business.
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