Throughout the month of June, Smartbear released a series of blog posts centered on their LGBTQ+ leaders and team members, conducting interviews about what Pride means to them, and what it means to live authentically as a part of the tech world. In fact, they were one of the first companies to introduce an inclusive benefits package for their employees. According to this story, when Todd was first starting out in business, he didnt have much money to invest in marketing or advertising. In fact, only sworn-to-secret general managers know the recipe. Sure, the lie was undoubtedly scandalous, but what exactly outraged commenters is hard to determine. (LogOut/ xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Raising Canes Courts Controversy | Coal Troll's Blog The eatery was to be named Sockeye's Chicken Fingers for the type of fish with which he had recently spent so much time. LGBTQ Family Fact Sheet Some church leaders and politicians claim recent LGBTQ progress such as the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing same-sex couples the right to marry is an attack on Christianity. "I prefer not to comment on touchy issues such as this," Graves said in response to a question about his thoughts on LGBT rights. But in the very early days, the company was streaming toward an even more unusual moniker Sockeye's Chicken Fingers. Raising Cane's own website describes the sauce as being tangy with a bit of heat. 2023 Galvanized Media. List of most expensive ZIP codes released, Raising Canes raising average hourly wage to $19.50. Its usually associated with energy, passion, and power. Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. Roughly one-third of the company's corporate employees became fry cooks and cashiers to help offset the labor shortage. Copyright 2023. Graves founded Raising Cane's, a chicken-finger chain that is quickly expanding, in 1996. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-53563316-1&cid=f08d7e5e-72fa-4222-a9d6-9de05d39a725&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=716786826223910693'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); Raising Cane's CEO Todd Graves Impersonated in Reddit AMA More than a third of same-sex couples raising children are racial or ethnic minorities Two Missouri workers with the Raising Canes chicken chain are out of a job, after a video went viral showing one worker stirring iced tea Gympasss content team has written a collection of articles and guides on how to make gyms and exercise spaces safer and more accepting for LGBTQ+ customers. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Thank you for supporting our journalism. } ); Deadlines: When to use Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby coupons, gift Watch: Rare white killer whale calf spotted off California coast, Connecticut nursing student helps save mans life at JFK airport. Despite the mega chicken chain's original (almost) handle, the sockeye salmon, the restaurant was thankfully named for founder Todd Graves' Labrador retriever who was kicking around the construction site of the original location. It was to raise awareness to the fact that they are trying to be accepted like the LGBTQ+ people are," she wrote. Get the best food tips and diet advice The goal is to use the cane for balance and stability, not support. That's right, Raising Cane's has an extremely minimalist menu and the only decision you'll have to make there is how many chicken tenders you want and whether you'd like those on a sandwich or in a basket. The first married couple andBOOM!they produce a homicidal maniac. WebRaising Canes is active in our Communities, supporting over 30,000 local organizations for causes that are close to our hearts. subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. The ACLU has a long history of defending the LGBTQ community. It doesnt guarantee safety. In fact, the top spot was nabbed by Raising Cane's Chicken Tenders with a 25.9 percent growth in sales over the course of a year. raising money for AIDS Walk NYC as well as funds for, The Coca-Cola Company is Hiring | View 58 Jobs, How To Celebrate Your LGBTQ+ Employees Every Day, Rebelmouse CEO: Tech Must Do More For LGBTQ+ Users, Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity (CEED), The National Center for Transgender Equality. Under the moniker, G4E they pursue demographics research and social justice initiatives targeted toward ensuring social justice for the greater LGBTQ+ community. The company has committed to the mission of ensuring that both their workplace and the world beyond are safe and empowering for all sexual and gender identities. The average employee at Raising Cane's makes $30,264 per year. Just like the popular burger chain, Raising Cane's also uses fresh ingredients and a secret sauce. "Both the Toast and the Cane's Sauce are made using a secret recipe," Graves' impersonator wrote. every day. Nick Morrow, theinterim communications directorfor the Human Rights Campaign, also wrote in an emailed statement that the movement rejects allnon-consensual behavior, including pedophilia. But no matter how many times you've feasted on their offerings, you probably don't know the story of the quick-serve chain. Given the nature of online interactions, it's fairly obvious why every single Reddit AMA has the potential to go off the rails. Times Syndication Service. But for others, the concept was literally very easy to swallow. There are now over 500 locations across the United States, Canada, and Kuwait. In 1986, after more than two decades of support for lesbian and gay struggles, the American Civil Liberties Union established a national Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. Yes, Raising Canes supports the LGBTQ community. Kane is not really the President of Raising Canes nor does Raising Canes engage in any such outlandish behavior. Editor's note: After this story was initially published, a Raising Cane's representative told Business Insider that the person responding to this AMA was not actually CEO Todd Graves. "Someone claiming to be Raising Cane's founder Todd Graves created a fake post on Reddit, inviting users to ask him anything," Camille Penniman, Raising Cane's senior vice president of legal, fry cook and cashier, said in a statement to Business Insider. The reasoning behind this is noble enough. Stay up to date with what you want to know. The companys employees also self-organized to form an LGBTQIA+ resource group called A Proud Guru, where employees and allies join forces to raise money and educate each other on community wins on a global scale while also celebrating each others uniquenesses. This Insta picture doesn't lie the chain really does make fresh coleslaw every single day, which keeps it from getting soggy. But, it was apparently not Graves on the account at all. The enduring popularity and unquestionable brilliance of Marley's song "One Love"notwithstanding, it's difficult to understand the exact thought process here. Not only does their toast follow that standard, but so do their signature soft drinks freshly brewed ice tea and homemade lemonade. But they weren't the only chicken chain on the list, nor were they the highest ranked. The team also included additional information about the importance of positive identity affirmation and the burden of being expected to represent such a diverse community. WebFAP provides research-based educational materials and interventions to strengthen families and their support of their LGBT youth. As the billboards claim, the marinated, chicken breast tenderloins are hand battered by staff (or "Bird Specialists") then fried in canola oil. Jordan McMillian, a user who posted the composite to Facebook, toldUSA TODAY that her intent was to debunk the claim. He previously covered pop culture, music and gender identity at Rookie Mag. In a stunning development, this reporter has learned that Raising Canes Chicken Fingers has become embroiled (or emfried) in its own marriage controversy. Nearly 90 percent of Democrats and two-thirds of independents oppose religious refusal laws, compared with just 44 percent of Republicans. Better or worse; richer or poorer; sick and in healthgive me a break! IBM has a history of fighting for LGBTQ rights. This was the idea of Adam Reed, still the Regional Director of Marketing for Raising Cane's, who said, "[Howard] will be welcome to come by any of our (20) local restaurants to enjoy seriously delicious chicken fingers at any time, on us, for the rest of his life. In many nations, there has been an increasing acceptance of homosexuality, including in the United States, where 72% say it should be accepted, compared with just Republicans are virtually evenly divided over same-sex marriage, with 48 percent supporting it and 54 percent opposing it, while a large majority of Democrats and independents favor marriage equality. But you know,it's no KFC Yum! While the true toll of the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be seen as its impact moves forward, some aspects, like the continuing restaurant labor shortage, can be analyzed in the present. The new Raising Cane's mascot debuted during the 2018 Louisiana's Washington Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge where the local news station said, "Graves held the little guy up in true Lion King fashion.". She even had her own Instagram account. Increased Knowledge and Awareness. Center or Sleep Train Arena. The posts are not representative of the LGBTQ community, several groups said. We all have the same human rights. In a company news release, Kazoo outlined the history of the Stonewall Uprising and the importance of celebrating Pride today, as well as highlighting practical steps companies can take to ensure their LGBTQ+ employees feel welcome and safe. Gwen) and probably brother and sister (Todd and Gwen's two human kids). Raising Cane's did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Adobes Adobe For All campaign is the backbone of its culture and encourages the companys development and support of LGBTQ initiatives. They are side-kicked by crinkle fries, coleslaw, Texas Toast, and another gem of the menu Cane's Sauce. Earlier in July, a civil rights audit found that the company's inability to curbtoxic speech, racism and misinformation could impact the upcoming election. Currently, another T-shirt with a nostalgic retro design is up for grabs, as well as a plain cap and choice of red or black koozie. Raise awareness among employees that June has been designated LGBTQ Pride Month by posting signs, sending memos or making announcements at regularly The LGBT Foundation put out a statement disavowing the image that used its logo and said love is "age-blind. Organizations dedicated to ending child sexual abuse including the Zero Abuse Project and the Stop Abuse Campaign also state on their websites that most abusers are heterosexual, and there is no link between the LGBTQ community and pedophilia. In the mid '90s, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers founder Todd Graves and a small crew set to work in constructing the first location. Raising Canes' CEO had a disastrous Reddit AMA in which he Raising Canes would seem to be courting trouble, but Kane is steadfast. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Not only have more than 100 Raising Cane's employees volunteered there, but Graves also established the Cane's Plaquemine Parish Relief Fund to provide continual financial support. The first location was opened on August 28 in 1996 to immediate fanfare, causing the crew to stick around till 3:30 a.m. Cane's Sauce is careful to follow the old fast-food troupe vats of it are made using a secret recipe. Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch wrote the decision. That makes everyone on the planet welcome at our restaurants. When asked if his open prejudice applied to same-sex marriage, Kane responded: Not yet, but give it some time. Which is funny, since the closing time for this location is still 3:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday (2 a.m. other days). (Disclaimer: This is awork of fiction. The top of the cane should touch the ground about an inch ahead of your toes when youre standing upright. Rich Ferraro,the chief communications officer at GLAAD,wrote in an email to USA TODAY that "LGBTP" is not an acronym used or supported by the community. Enjoy your delicious tortillas! Chick-fil-A and Wingstop were both among the top five fastest growing chains in the country in 2016, according to the annual list released by Nation's Restaurant News. Raising Canes slogan is One Love.. Im certain that the other half want to. Lets face it. AMA moderators removed the post, saying that the user had "not provided adequate proof" of their identity. So, does Raising Canes support LGBTQ rights? So as long as you make this meal a treat and not a diet staple, you're good to go. Therefore, you better sport your own doggy gear. Its not just about great chicken fingers; its about the love that goes into making them. The company also offers leave for primary and secondary caregivers. Additionally, the company also has a donation match program of up to $200 in annual employee donations to organizations like the Matthew Shepard Foundation, True Colors United, the Transgender Law Center and other organizations. "We are very much supportive of the family the biblical definition of the family unit. Another possibility is that the fish was not properly cleaned before cooking. Though the user first doubled down and claimed to reveal further restaurant secrets, they eventuallyadmitted they had never worked at Raising Cane's in the first place (via Chron). Now, The Mothership is something of a tourist draw in Louisiana's capital city, even listed as an attraction on the Visit Baton Rouge website. When it comes to creating an inclusive workplace, there can be no half measures. That means for a full 10 years, ticket stubs for car shows, comedy tours, sports events, concerts, and more will sport the Raising Cane's River Center logo. The claim: Chick-fil-A donated $1.8 million to anti-LGBTQ groups Chick-fil-A has faced backlash for its donations and those made by executives for years. They also offer domestic partner benefits and have been outspoken in their support of marriage equality. "All I will say, is that how people choose to live their life really isn't my business. Then, they get married again. "I prefer not to comment on touchy issues such as this," the apparently fake Graves said in response to a question about his thoughts on LGBT rights. In 2017, Snopes traced the posts back to an anti-gay misinformation campaign that started on 4chan in 2016, thehope of which was to trick the LGBTQ community into expressing support forpedophiles. According to the Raising Cane's website, Graves and the company remained active in the parish well after the episode aired. Of course, the late, great reggae artist's desire for a harmonious world didn't mean he was willing to share his artistry without proper credit. Websame-sex couples are raising children under 18 in their household: 9.3 % of male couples and 23% of female couples (Characteristics, 2018). in response to a question about his thoughts on LGBT rights. These people are called Caniacs. If Silicon Valley companies take the right steps toward achieving equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, they can set an example for the rest of the world to follow suit. You want to hold the cane in your opposite hand from the one youll be placing most weight on as you walk. Built In is the online community for startups and tech companies. More Americans than ever say they support nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, according to a new poll released by the Public Religion Research Institute. Supportive federal and state laws, such as a federal nondiscrimination bill, can help LGBTQ+ parents and their children to thrive. "Im extremely against this movement. As far as chicken fingers-focused fast food joints go, Raising Cane's has some decent accessories. They named her Raising Cane II, and she became a certified pet therapy dog. However, the calorie content will vary depending on the recipe used and the ingredients added. USA TODAY has reached out to Facebook for comment on Ferraro's remarks. Id call that crazy. Raising Cane's scored another award at Thrillest's inaugural fast food-ranking event. Get the App! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). For example, it added sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policy in 1984, began providing Domestic Partner Benefits in 1996 and added gender identity or expression to its Equal Opportunity Policy in 2002. Though the restaurant claimed it had added 5,000 jobs in the prior year, it still found itself struggling to fill kitchen roles by October 2021. "It was to show that there is a group of pedophiles trying to justify their sick sexual desires. Your email address will not be published. The restaurant was named after Graves yellow Labrador Retriever, Raining Canes. Claims like this have surfaced online previously. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Raising Cane's kept all but a few dozen of its 500 restaurants open meaning only 33 locations without a drive-thru were temporarily shut down. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A Good Oat Score is a score that indicates how well a person did on a test or other assessment. The scandalous social media reveal went viral, prompting a response from the company that claimed only general managers knew the recipe. The easy ordering experience is similar to what you'd find at In N Out and the similarities don't stop there. "What's in the sauce?" According to a survey from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, one in 10 LGBTQ workers face discrimination, with LGBTQ employees of color being more likely to experience verbal harrasment and job rejection. Sprout Social places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, centering inclusivity as an integral part of their company culture and hiring efforts. However, on Thursday, a Raising Cane's representative told Business Insider that the account was not actually Graves, and that an unknown person had used the chain's Reddit account to impersonate the chain's CEO. From forgoing his 2020 salary to avoid layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic (via Inc.), to buying 50,000 lottery tickets to share with Raising Cane's employees during the Mega Millions jackpot in July 2022, the company's CEO is known for acts of generosity. In addition to helping LGBTQIA+ employees feel supported year round with a variety of training programs and crucial resources, Addepar also formed its AddePride affinity group, which is run by LGBTQIA+ community members and allies and aims to foster an accepting environment at Addepar and in interactions with clients. In the end, your DIY Cane's Sauce should look pink and peppery, as if you just scored a cup from the drive-thru. Based on the answers given by "Graves" during the AMA (meaning "ask me anything"), it's not entirely clear what caused the uproar. During the reconstruction, the crew found a hidden mural of the bakery's logo, which then inspired the Raising Cane's logo. Support for nondiscrimination protections is the highest it has ever been overall and across state, religious and political party affiliation according to a poll, conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, Notably, Arkansas last year became the first state in the U.S. to sign into law a ban on all gender-affirming care for transgender or nonbinary youth under the age of 18, though a federal judge over the summer issued a decision. Another viral composite photoincludes textthat claimsto be from theLGBT Foundation and showthe words Love is gender and age-blind, and textthatclaims to be from FCKH8 that reads "Some people are child lovers. Already being dubbed one of the worst AMAs of all time," Reddit user AdMan-90 commented. If higher fat meats and full-fat condiments are used, the calorie content will be higher. "This one is well worth the read. So instead, he would take Raising Cane with him everywhere he wentto business meetings, networking events, and even on sales calls. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e, Courtesy of Facebook/Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers. In worst case scenarios, companies without true commitments to empowering those communities may adopt rainbow flag imagery during Pride Month, all while channeling funds toward political or economic organizations that pose a direct threat to LGBTQ+ people. In fact, a study of nearly 270 children who had experienced sexual abuse found that 82% of alleged offenders were aheterosexual partner of a close relative of the child. One of the few, aforementioned closed Cane's locations was in downtown Baton Rouge where employees volunteered to make face masks instead of chicken fingers. In 2020, Dudas leadership team put together a press release outlining ways to celebrate pride while social distancing, compiling a list of safe virtual and car events near their offices which people could attend. The Cane's sauce certainly fits this bill. The Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People That one thing was chicken fingers, and they quickly became known for having the best chicken fingers in town. The company publishes a number of insights and updates on how their team leaders are working to undo unconscious bias by attending conferences, holding space for people to share their experiences, and instituting concrete policies that protect their more vulnerable employees. The event starred the Surprise Police Department for two hours on the evening of July 9, and involved live music, Cane's prizes, of course chicken fingers and free lemonade. Families can sign up their little entrepreneurs on the Raising Cane's website, where parents can even access the Lemonopolis Digital Learning Platform. Supreme Court upholds that workers cannot be fired for being LGBTQ. The creamy, coral-colored Cane's Sauce took home the bronze from the "Best Dipping Sauce" category. Required fields are marked *. WebThe ACLU works to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, & queer people belong everywhere and can live openly and authentically without discrimination, harassment, or violence. Get over it." Sunny Betz is a Built In staff reporter covering HR trends and best practices within the tech industry. By most accounts, the founder of Raising Cane's, Todd Graves, seems like a fairly nice guy. Catfishing does more than just discourage discourse between parties, though. We brought our first LGBTQ rights case in 1936. "All I will say, is that how people choose to live their life really isn't my business. Paul said it was better to marry than to burn. WebSomeone claiming to be Raising Cane's CEO Todd Graves had a disastrous Reddit AMA on Wednesday. Expanding our search, eBay is full of plush Cane toys. (For the unfamiliar, Howard is a center with the NBA who's currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Reddit users turned on Graves after he declined to comment on what he called "touchy issues," such as LGBT rights, President Donald Trump, and abortion. 22, 2022. When it comes to how does this underdog stack up against the fan favorites we've all grown up with when it comes to nutrition, we'd say Raising Cane's holds their own. They originated in Louisiana in 1996 and have been expanding ever since, opening 59 new locations in the last year alone. Theres only one thing for certain: People like fried chicken. Attack on LGBTQ+ rights: The politics and psychology of a backlash In an effort to help their industry peers step up their diversity and inclusion efforts, Quickbases team put together a comprehensive guide for how technology can be implemented to undo bias and make workplaces more accepting. 15% of Raising Cane's employees are Hispanic or Latino. Don't let that stop you from hitting up the classics, though. More Americans than ever say they support nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, new research shows, even as legislation seeking to curb LGBTQ+ rights particularly transgender rights is being considered in state legislatures across the country. Additionally, the company has set up a number of resource groups, community discussion spaces and mentorship opportunities for their LGBTQ+ employees, POC employees, employees with disabilities and others who need extra support. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The assertion that the LGBTQ community condones or supports pedophilia is not only false, butrooted in a history of bigotry.