Can I Open a Raising Cane’s Franchise?

The competition in the fast casual sector is fierce, with a wide variety of cuisines and styles. With big names like Raising Cane’s and Teriyaki Madness expanding across the country, there are seemingly limitless franchise opportunities to choose from. If you’re considering owning a franchise with a brand like Raising Cane’s, 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 restaurants remain a stronghold for diners, with nine out of 10 consumers having visited one within the last six months. However, with the rise in use of GLP-1 medications, not only are serving sizes changing, but the desire for customizable, adaptable, and protein-rich meals has been increasing.
Changes in consumer behavior and technological convenience, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial groups, are impacting how and where people eat. In fact, more than half of Gen Z consumers say that takeout and food delivery are essential to their lifestyle, with the majority of them opting for fast food/fast casual.
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 (LSU) business class, the restaurant chain is thriving. 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, with roughly 900 locations worldwide.
However, 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 at this time. That said, there are many other fast casual franchise opportunities available for investment.
Teriyaki Madness: A Fast Casual Powerhouse
Teriyaki Madness was founded in 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada, by entrepreneurs who fell in love with the ubiquitous teriyaki shops of Seattle during their childhood. They opened their first location in Las Vegas in 2003. The chain 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.
The popularity of Teriyaki Madness’ Asian-inspired cuisine has helped fuel the brand’s growth. Since franchising began in 2005, the system has expanded to more than 200 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 continues to grow and has franchise opportunities for both single and multi-unit franchise owners. Here are just a few reasons why Teriyaki Madness has strong potential:
- Lower startup costs: The initial investment for a Teriyaki Madness location starts at $392,667.* We focus on small-footprint, high-traffic locations. Our average location size is only 1,500 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 takeout and delivery business: Approximately 80% of our business comes from takeout 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: Locations generated an average unit volume of $1,113,760 in 2025.** In addition, we will open nearly 50 new shops in 2026.
- Comprehensive training program: Teriyaki Madness franchisees receive 14 days of training at our corporate headquarters and training shop, as well as up to 14 days of on-site training at your location around your shop’s grand opening. Plus, access to Mad U for you and your team 24/7/365.
- Vetted supply chain: We’ve rigorously vetted our suppliers to ensure franchisees receive high-quality, fresh ingredients that are essential to our brand’s success. Our robust franchise network enables you to leverage group buying power, ensuring you get the best ingredients at the best prices.
- Ongoing marketing guidance: Teriyaki Madness has a loyal customer base and strong 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 Item 7 of our 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document for details.
**See Item 19 of our 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information.
