Episode 12 – Retail Recap: Inside Raising Cane’s Expansion Strategy
Growth, strategy, and what’s driving the brand
In this episode, Jeremy Mercer, Will Narduzzi, Rob Franks, and Secure Net Lease’s Bob Moorhead sit down with Jeremy Hudson, VP of Real Estate at Raising Cane’s, to break down what’s behind the brand’s rapid growth and continued success.
From Regional Concept to National Platform
Since joining in 2012, Hudson has helped scale Raising Cane’s from just over 100 locations to more than 1,000 nationwide.
Today, the growth strategy is clear and consistent:
- ~100 new locations annually
- Expansion into both core and new markets
- Goal of 1,500 locations by 2030 with $8mm AUV Target
The approach remains disciplined, with a focus on sustainable, high-performing growth.
Why Simplicity Drives Performance
One of Cane’s biggest advantages is its intentionally limited menu.
That simplicity allows for:
- Faster operations and throughput
- Consistent customer experience
- Strong unit-level economics
Rather than chasing trends, the brand has stayed focused on doing a few things extremely well, and it continues to pay off.
An Evolving Real Estate Playbook
As the company scales, its real estate strategy continues to adapt.
Key shifts include:
- More efficient drive-thru designs
- Smaller, more flexible site footprints
- A mix of ground leases and strategic ownership
At the same time, site selection remains highly disciplined, combining data-driven insights with on-the-ground evaluation to ensure long-term success.
What’s Next for Cane’s
Looking ahead, the focus is on steady expansion without compromising the model.
That includes:
- Entering new markets with strong fundamentals
- Refining store formats and prototypes
- Maintaining operational consistency at scale
Retail Market Snapshot
The episode also highlights broader trends across net lease retail:
- Inventory levels continue to tighten
- Cap rates and pricing remain relatively stable
- Demand for strong QSR brands is still high
Even with macro uncertainty, activity remains positive, reinforcing the resilience of well-located retail assets.
Full episode below:
