Todd Graves first wowed the South with his chicken finger franchise, but now he’s back with another endeavor.
It isn’t a full-fledged breakfast menu, but it’s still causing a ruckus. 
The Raising Cane’s founder partnered with Animal Planet’s “Treehouse Masters” guru Pete Nelson to bring the show’s largest treehouse to life in
Baton Rouge. 
After several weeks, the Graves family settled into its new treehouse in its backyard, complete with poker nights at the bar, reading upstairs and running back and forth across the swinging bridge with the family dog, Graves said.
“I’ve wanted a treehouse forever,” he said. “Being big fans of Pete, I was hoping we could get him to do it, and we talked him into it.”
The March 6 episode of “Treehouse Masters” featured Graves’ 1,200-square-foot structure, which was completed in February while the family was on a Mardi Gras ski trip. Graves said they returned home the night before the big reveal but decided not to peek at their new addition until the next morning. 
“It really was a surprise,” Graves said. “We had all the shades down, and we didn’t look at it, so it really was a ‘holy cow’ moment. To build the thing from start to finish in three weeks is a marvel … but how quality the detail work is — that blew me away.”
The massive structure includes three levels and a swinging bridge that leads to an additional platform. The treehouse was constructed with reclaimed cypress from New Orleans, including a mix of wood from buildings affected by Hurricane Katrina and a striking blue-colored wood, which was used in the second-level skylight. 
But this isn’t any ordinary treehouse. Aside from being the largest structure Nelson has ever designed for the show, the first level houses a living area, bar and bathroom, while the second level offers a multipurpose room with a Murphy bed. The third level towers above the rest as a crow’s nest with a clear view of Tiger Stadium. 
This storybook structure had been a long time coming for Graves, who said he spent his childhood building treehouses with friends out of scrap wood from a construction site near his home. So, when he found out Nelson wanted to build a treehouse in southern Louisiana and visit Baton Rouge, he didn’t pass up the opportunity. 
“He asked us what we wanted and worked with us like crazy,” Graves said. “We let him take his vision, and from there, he took it and rocked it. It was really neat to follow somebody’s vision and have the trust without having to
micromanage.” 
Graves said once he and Nelson selected the tree and discussed possible plans, Nelson went straight to work. He sat under the tree all day sketching and measuring until he presented his designs to Graves and his wife Gwen that afternoon. Those sketches eventually turned into the family’s
backyard treehouse.
There’s a small structure the family turned into an outdoor sitting area, complete with a fireplace, next to the treehouse, that’s been on the property since the ’30s. Graves said he and Nelson both liked the area, and some of its elements inspired the shapes used in the treehouse. 
Julie Perrault, a Raising Cane’s spokesperson, said Nelson also drew inspiration from the Raising Cane’s restaurant itself, which led to the addition of two disco balls and skylights to pay homage to the popular chicken chain. 
“[Nelson is] actually a huge fan of Cane’s now,” Perrault said. “He kind of got obsessed with the chicken. All the news stories were coming out here and asking him what he liked to eat — wanting him to say boudin and crawfish — but he kept saying, ‘I really love Raising Cane’s.’”
The structure was designed down to the last detail. Graves’ daughter has her artwork displayed in several areas, including paintings of birds in the bedroom pod and a portrait of a dog behind the bar. There’s also several local decorative elements, such as the stained glass window above the bed from Baton Rouge antique store, circa 1857. 
“It makes it home,” Graves said. “It was real important to us, and especially my wife, Gwen, to have it be real local and look like it’s always been there.”
Graves said he and his
family have been enjoying their treehouse on a daily basis, but the building process also offered some fun for both Graves and the “Treehouse Masters” crew. When they first arrived, Graves filled them in on Baton Rouge’s popular eateries such as Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar and The Chimes, and he said the crew genuinely enjoyed its time in Louisiana. 
Graves said he found a kindred spirit in Nelson, which made the treehouse experience even better. Even though one built his business on chicken and the other with treehouses, Graves said it was nice to find someone who’s also passionate about his work. 
The treehouse has only been a backyard addition for a short period, but Graves said this is something he and his family will enjoy for a long time, and it’s a fun experience to look back on.
“To have something you’re really excited about that’s special for you and your family, and to have the opportunity to work with somebody who’s that good at what they do while you trust them, and you’re excited about what they do — that was a pleasure,” Graves said.
You can reach Greta Jines on Twitter @TheGretaJines.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Ronni Bourgeois

Raising Canes owner, Todd Graves recently comissioned Pete Nelson to build him a tree house as a part of Tree Houses Masters.