He’s been spotted with Hollywood A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx at high-profile parties and events, including the Academy Awards. He resides part time in the ultra-exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood known as the Bird Streets, an enclave of the equally ritzy Hollywood Hills. And in 2026, Forbes estimates his net worth at $22 billion, making him the 124th wealthiest person in the world.

Todd Graves is not an Oscar-winning actor or a flashy tech CEO. He’s just a guy who really likes chicken fingers — and happens to be the richest person in fast food.

And as it turns out, his ties to LA run deep. 

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Graves, the 54-year-old owner and founder of fast-growing chicken finger chain Raising Cane’s, spent his formative young adult years in LA, working grueling 90-hour weeks as a boilermaker at area oil refineries. And while the timeline tidbit has become woven into the billionaire’s blue-collar lore, even appearing on the company’s website, the actual details about his early Southern California years are few and far between.

Todd Graves and Jamie Foxx attend the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Todd Graves attend a Los Angeles Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 5, 2025, in Los Angeles.

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana-headquartered chain, which now has more than 1,000 locations and pulled in $5.49 billion in 2025, celebrated its 30th anniversary on Aug. 28. 

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“I’m still actively involved in the business as owner & founder and truly believe this is my life’s purpose,” Graves tells SFGATE via email about the company hitting the three-decade mark. “I always say, ‘I believe God made me good at Chicken Fingers to help people.’” 

As his company toasted the milestone, SFGATE asked Graves to look back on his time in Los Angeles and........

© SFGate