Raising Cane's Names Ian Vaughn Chief Operating Officer

PLANO, Texas – (May 26, 2009) – Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers®, one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the U.S., has promoted Ian Vaughn to chief operating officer.

“Ian has been an exceptional leader for our organization, championing our brand and our culture so that our restaurants execute the world’s best dining experience which is to deliver our One Love--great tasting chicken finger meals, with a friendly crew, cool culture, and active community involvement,” said Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s.  “His talent for operations and building great teams has put Raising Cane’s on a national stage, raising the bar with every new store in our expanding organization to surpass our greatest expectations.” 

Most recently, Vaughn served as senior vice president of operations, overseeing both corporate-owned locations as well as supporting a growing franchise network for Raising Cane’s. A respected leader in the industry, Vaughn has also won several operator awards including Nation’s Restaurant News “50 GMs Orchestrating Success” in 2005.

Under Vaughn’s leadership, Raising Cane’s was named Restaurant Hospitality's "Top 10 Growth Chains for 2008;" ranking second on Restaurant Business "Future's Top 50 List;” placing second in the country in the Sandelman & Associates’ Quick-Track Customer Satisfaction study; winning Nation's Restaurant News 2003 "Hot Concepts Award;" and being listed among the "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" in Fast Casual magazine.  The restaurant was also voted "Best New Restaurant" in Houston by the readers of the Houston Business Journal. 

Vaughn started his career with Raising Cane’s more than seven years ago as a shift manager in Baton Rouge.  He was promoted to general manager and soon became the first official “training GM” for the restaurant chain.  Vaughn even proposed to his wife at the opening of his restaurant where he was GM. Vaughn was later named the director of new store openings, where he successfully opened 28 new Raising Cane’s locations across the country.  He then assumed the role of senior director of company restaurant operations before being appointed to senior vice president of operations.

“Ian is that rare individual whose passion for our crew, culture, and communities is matched by his leadership and management. He tackles and perfects every responsibility he is given,” Graves added.  “And he has approached his job with outstanding skill to shape the operations of a single store into a nationwide program that has helped us build an incredible organization.”

In his new position as chief operating officer, Vaughn will work out of the Raising Cane’s Dallas Restaurant Support Office and report to Graves.

About Raising Cane’s:

Founded by entrepreneur Todd Graves in 1996 in Baton Rouge, La., Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers has more than 80 restaurants in 13 states with several new restaurants under construction.  The Company has ONE LOVE – quality chicken finger meals – and focuses its menu on fresh, made-to-order chicken fingers, grilled Texas Toast brushed with garlic butter, fresh cole slaw and crinkle-cut French fries.  More information on Raising Cane’s is available at www.raisingcanes.com.

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Ashley Connor | BizCom Associates | 972.490.0903 ext. 1451 | ashley@bizcompr.com

16301 Quorum Drive Suite 150A | Addison, TX 75001