And then there was one: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
Who would have thought that a fast-food chain would be the only company to win our Top 100 competition every year since its inception 11 years ago, withstanding economic cycles and a challenging labor market year after year?
Todd Graves, its CEO and founder, for one.
So what can you learn from him?
The culture he’s crafted is one of appreciation, dishing out respect, recognition and rewards along with those fried chicken tenderloins.
Graves never forgets how hard it was to open his first stand outside the entrance of Louisiana State University in 1996.
“Literally, every bank turned my business plan down,” the 47-year-old says 23 years later. “It was so discouraging. But the entrepreneur in me said, ‘I’ll prove you wrong.’ ”
And he did.
Today, Cane’s, which is named for Graves’ late yellow Labrador retriever, has more than 450 restaurants in 24 states and six countries. It recently opened its 50th North Texas location.
“Hey, every opening I go to, I still feel like I did with the first one,” says Graves, who describes his leadership style as positive, motivational management. “The thrill never leaves me.
“I want to still be doing this for my people and still be passionate about growing the business 20 or 25 or 30 years from now.”
Graves, who still owns the lion’s share of the company, will always remember how his first crew of college kids worked 60-hour weeks for next to nothing to help make his dream come true.
Graves made a $30 profit his first month after paying them and his rent. “That was so significant because I was scared to death that I wouldn’t be able to. Our culture is deeply rooted in appreciation. I was appreciative of the customers coming in and actually paying us so that I could pay our crew members.”
Graves loves the restaurant business, but he realizes it can be thankless work.
“I wanted to create a place where I’d wanna work. I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t. I wanted to hear music and to have dancing while we made a great product, so I wanted the same thing for the crew.”
Graves often works nights and weekends — not because he has to, but because it creates fellowship.
The restaurants are closed for the Fourth of July. “I’m not going to be off at the lake with my family barbecuing and having fun while our crew members don’t have that same opportunity.”
He rents out theme parks for Memorial Day celebrations.
Doug Claffey, founder of Energage, our research partner, says Raising Cane’s is a rarity among the hundreds of thousands of companies that it has surveyed around the country.
“Raising Cane’s was a pioneer, coming into the competition at the beginning. But they’re also a settler, sticking with it through the years. That is truly remarkable.”
Looking at the results, Claffey says the fast-food chain shows that it’s best of class in executing effectively, operating with strong values and keeping employees informed.
While Raising Cane’s is our only 11-for-11 winner, our competition has a solid core of familiar names. A dozen companies have made the list at least seven times in a row. That includes four that have won every year for the last decade, only missing out on being 11-for-11 because they didn’t enter the first year: The Container Store, Encompass Health-Home Health & Hospice, Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors and Park Place Dealerships.
Comprehensive benefits packages at these companies are givens — and yes, that counts.
But they’ve become perennial standouts by cultivating the heart of their cultures.
The Container Store is renowned for celebrating at the drop of a hat.
“We take the time to laugh and enjoy each other,” says CEO Melissa Reiff, who describes her leadership style as transparent, inspiring and thoughtful.
Valentine’s Day is devoted to showering love on employees with treats, praise and in-house parties at its stores and distribution center.
It gets loyal employee buy-in for its work with the community. For example, it has an ongoing partnership with Goodwill Industries in which it donates distressed, discontinued and obsolete merchandise that it can’t sell in its stores.
Hill & Wilkinson provides on-site trainers for barre, yoga, fit club and boot camp during the workday. Employees brag about being empowered, having flexibility and, yes, the annual margarita party. They also enjoy bimonthly fun events including family movie days, happy hours, Halloween costume contests and chili cook-offs.
“H&W truly operates like a family,” says CEO Paul Driscoll, who sees his management style as collaborative, ethical and transparent. “We celebrate one another’s victories and band together during difficult times.”
Employees at Encompass rack up points for exemplary performance and conduct that they can redeem for merchandise and services.
Workers who drive at least 300 miles a week and keep a clean driving record are eligible for a company car that comes with free maintenance and a gas card.
“Our team members spend a lot of time behind the wheel,” says April Anthony, who says she’s engaged, committed and accessible. “Any time we can make that time better for them by putting them in a high-quality vehicle and not adding any wear or tear to their personal vehicle, we consider that a win for our employees.”
Work full time at one of Park Place’s 12 area dealerships, and you can drive off in a vehicle or have your car worked on at a discount.
CEO Neil Grossman says the one word that characterizes Park Place is commitment. “The company started 30 years ago with a commitment to client satisfaction that was, and remains, driven by our core values of integrity, passionate service and a personal commitment to excellence,” Grossman says.
That begins for all employees on day one with training and development, says Grossman, who says his leadership style creates expectations. And 90% of Park Place managers are promoted from within.
Grossman wants more women to join that circle. Last year, he established a Women in Automotive Council to foster a stronger female community within Park Place and began a female mentorship program.
Another common thread with all of these winners?
They won’t be resting on their laurels.
