The Ohio franchise of Raising Cane’s restaurant raised more than Cain for the University on Tuesday.
Managers of the franchise traveled to the original Raising Cane’s restaurant on State Street to donate $882 to the Student Relief Fund, which benefits University students affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Tim McCarthy, partner of business development, said his restaurant, which borders Ohio State University’s campus in Columbus, began collecting donations for the University two days after Katrina hit.
“We had a tremendous outpouring from the students of OSU,” McCarthy said. “It brought a smile to the faces of everyone at our store to be able to bring [the money] down here.”
Roy Getz, partner of operations of the Ohio franchise, said he appreciated the students’ donations because he knows many of them did not have much money to give.
“These are your typical starving college students,” Getz said. “It was heartwarming to see the donations they were giving.”
With his dog Cane panting at his side, Todd Graves, founder and chief executive officer of Raising Cane’s, described other fundraising efforts his company has in the works.
“We have donation boxes out at all of our Baton Rouge locations, and that money will go to the Student Relief Fund,” Graves said. “We have also set up the Cane’s Care Fund for our crew members who were affected by the storms.”
Graves said his company is also working with the Louisiana Restaurant Association to revive the New Orleans restaurant industry.
Jim Funk, president of LRA, complimented Graves in a letter for being among the first restaurants open for business in the New Orleans area following Katrina – some locations using generators for power and boiling water in order to cook.
“Raising Cane’s has shown a commitment to their community and a dedication to their patrons that inspired hope and confidence for the rebuilding effort,” Funk said in the letter.
Graves said he had to brag about his crew members for being so willing to help his stores get ready for business following the storms.
He said some of the company’s executives went to New Orleans to work as cooks and cashiers.
“We’re proud of our stores’ culture, and our crews went above and beyond to rally and get these stores open,” Graves said. “It really says a lot the employees we have.”
 
Contact Jeff Jeffrey at [email protected]