Can I Open a Raising Cane’s Franchise?

The competition in the fast casual sector is fierce, with big names like Raising Cane’s and Teriyaki Madness expanding across the country. If you’re considering owning a Raising Cane’s franchise, learn your options and how it compares to Teriyaki Madness, a fresh fast casual alternative serving bold flavors and growth opportunities.

Popularity of Fast Casual Segment Soars

Fast casual sales grew by more than 11% in 2023. Customers enjoy the alternative to traditional burgers, tacos, subs, and pizza. The global fast casual restaurant market reached almost $125 billion in 2022 and is projected to climb to $338 billion over the next eight years, according to Allied Market Research.

Customers aren’t the only ones jumping on the fast casual bandwagon. Technological innovations, a rise in delivery services, and the potential for high profits are reasons the fast casual restaurant industry has risen in popularity for investors looking for new opportunity. A fast casual franchise offers a multi-unit opportunity with a proven brand and both Raising Cane’s and Teriyaki Madness are strong contenders. But, Let’s drill down to learn more about these two brands.

Raising Cane’s: A Chicken Finger Success Story

Although founder Todd Graves’ business plan for Raising Cane’s scored the lowest grade in his Louisiana State University business class, the restaurant chain is flourishing. After building a nest egg as a commercial fisherman in southwest Alaska, he opened the first Raising Cane’s location near the LSU campus in 1996. Since then, the chain’s name has become synonymous with chicken fingers. The brand anticipates reaching 1,000 locations by the end of 2025.

Is Raising Cane’s a Franchise?

Opening a Raising Cane’s franchise isn’t an option right now, as the company focuses on expanding corporate-owned stores. While the brand originally pursued franchise expansion, the chain no longer sells Raising Cane’s franchises. Raising Cane’s website says it’s “focused on the rapid development of company-affiliated restaurants in a very specific geography while continuing to support our existing franchise business partners.”

Teriyaki Madness: A Fast Casual Powerhouse

The founders of Teriyaki Madness developed a passion for Seattle-style teriyaki while growing up. They opened their first location in Las Vegas in 2003. Unlike traditional chicken franchises or Tex-Mex chains, Teriyaki Madness offers a fresh, healthier alternative with bold Asian flavors that appeal to a broad range of customers. As demand for customizable, flavorful meals continues, Teriyaki Madness corners the Asian food market by serving up hearty bowls packed with high-quality proteins, vegetables, and signature sauces — all made to order.

According to Grand View Research, Asian and Latin American food is leading growth in the fast casual market, as people opt for cuisine with international flavor profiles. The enduring popularity of the Teriyaki Madness brand’s Asian-inspired cuisine took flight and since the chain started franchising in 2005, it has franchise agreements for over 350 locations.

“I prefer working for myself and building something for myself, as opposed to building something for someone else. And once we tasted the Teriyaki Madness food, we chose Teriyaki Madness,” said Becky Richmond, a franchisee in Florida.

Poised for Growth

Teriyaki Madness is continuing to grow and has franchise opportunities for both single and multi-unit franchise owners. Here are just a few reasons Teriyaki Madness has high-profit potential:

• Low startup costs: Unlike many restaurant franchise concepts, our franchise owners don’t need a million dollars to launch their new business. The initial investment for Teriyaki Madness starts at $350,500.* We focus on small-footprint, high-traffic locations. Our average location size is only 1,200 to 1,800 square feet. And we’ve got a talented team of real estate, design, and construction professionals to help you find and build the best spot for your new venture.
• Strong take-out and delivery business: Nearly 80% of our business comes from take-out and delivery. We developed an app for online ordering to facilitate customer demand for convenience. Our “TMAD App” helps drive repeat business by enabling customers to earn points with every purchase.
• Positive unit growth and strong sales: Top-earning locations generated an average unit volume of nearly $1.1 million* in 2023. In addition, we will open nearly 35 outlets in 2024.
• Comprehensive training program: Teriyaki Madness franchisees receive 14 days of training at our corporate headquarters and training shop, as well as up to 17 days of on-site training at your location around your shop’s grand opening.
• Vetted supply chain: We’ve rigorously vetted our suppliers to ensure franchisees receive high-quality, fresh ingredients that are essential to the success of our brand. Our robust franchise network enables you to take advantage of group buying power, ensuring you get the best ingredients at the best price.
• Ongoing marketing guidance: Teriyaki Madness has a loyal customer following and brand recognition. We collaborate with social media platforms, ad agencies, PR firms, online review management companies, and other marketing partners to boost the brand’s visibility in your local community.

Ready to Open a Fast Casual Franchise?

Teriyaki Madness combines fresh food and franchise acumen. Our mission is to provide the “opportunity for success for all,” and our leadership team is ready to help you achieve your entrepreneurial dreams. Download our franchise report to get started.

*See Franchise Disclosure Document for details.