Where Does Raising Cane’s Get Their Chicken?
Raising Cane’s sources its chicken from a carefully selected network of suppliers across the United States that adhere to strict quality and animal welfare standards. They prioritize locally sourced chicken wherever possible to ensure freshness and support regional economies.
The Cane’s Chicken Commitment: Quality First
Raising Cane’s, known for its fanatical focus on chicken fingers, understandably puts immense emphasis on the quality and sourcing of its primary ingredient. Unlike restaurants with sprawling menus, Cane’s success hinges entirely on consistently delivering exceptional chicken. This laser-like dedication necessitates a meticulous approach to procurement. They don’t just want chicken; they demand premium chicken.
Defining “Premium”: Raising Cane’s Standards
What constitutes “premium” in the eyes of Raising Cane’s? It’s a multi-faceted equation involving:
- Animal Welfare: Suppliers must adhere to stringent animal welfare practices. This includes providing adequate space, proper nutrition, and humane handling throughout the chicken’s life.
- Quality and Freshness: The chicken must meet exacting standards for size, texture, and overall appearance. Freshness is paramount, driving the local sourcing strategy.
- Traceability: Cane’s requires full traceability of its chicken, allowing them to track its origin and ensure compliance with their standards.
- Partnerships: Cane’s cultivates long-term relationships with its suppliers, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
The Local Sourcing Advantage
While Raising Cane’s operates nationally, they actively prioritize sourcing chicken from farms within the regions they serve. This strategy offers several key advantages:
- Enhanced Freshness: Minimizing transportation time ensures that the chicken reaches Cane’s restaurants as fresh as possible.
- Support for Local Economies: By partnering with regional farmers, Cane’s contributes to the economic well-being of the communities they operate in.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: Shorter transportation distances translate to lower carbon emissions.
The Supplier Selection Process: Vetting for Excellence
The process of selecting suppliers is rigorous. Raising Cane’s doesn’t simply accept bids; they conduct thorough evaluations of potential partners. This includes:
- On-site Audits: Cane’s representatives conduct regular on-site audits of farms and processing facilities to ensure compliance with their standards.
- Review of Animal Welfare Practices: This includes assessing living conditions, handling procedures, and adherence to established welfare guidelines.
- Quality Control Assessments: Rigorous testing and inspection of the chicken at various stages of the process, from farm to restaurant.
- Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Suppliers must demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with Cane’s to enhance quality and sustainability.
From Farm to Fryer: Maintaining Consistency
Once a supplier is selected, Raising Cane’s works closely with them to ensure consistent quality and supply. This involves:
- Regular Communication: Open and frequent communication between Cane’s and its suppliers to address any issues or concerns.
- Ongoing Training: Providing training and support to suppliers on best practices for animal welfare and quality control.
- Data Analysis: Monitoring key metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where are the majority of Raising Cane’s chicken suppliers located?
The majority of Raising Cane’s chicken suppliers are located in the Southeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States, reflecting their strategic focus on sourcing chicken locally wherever possible.
Does Raising Cane’s use cage-free chicken?
Raising Cane’s does not currently mandate cage-free chicken across its entire supply chain. However, they are committed to working with suppliers that prioritize animal welfare and are exploring opportunities to increase the use of cage-free practices.
What specific animal welfare standards do Raising Cane’s suppliers adhere to?
Raising Cane’s requires suppliers to adhere to industry-recognized animal welfare guidelines, such as those established by the National Chicken Council (NCC) and the Global Animal Partnership (GAP). These guidelines cover aspects like space allowance, access to fresh water and feed, and humane handling practices.
How often does Raising Cane’s audit its chicken suppliers?
Raising Cane’s conducts regular on-site audits of its chicken suppliers, with the frequency depending on various factors such as supplier size and performance. Audits are typically conducted at least annually, but can be more frequent if necessary.
Does Raising Cane’s use chicken that has been treated with antibiotics?
Raising Cane’s encourages its suppliers to reduce the use of antibiotics important to human medicine. They are working towards a supply chain that minimizes antibiotic usage while prioritizing animal health and welfare.
Are the chickens used by Raising Cane’s processed in the United States?
Yes, all of Raising Cane’s chicken is processed in the United States. This ensures compliance with strict food safety regulations and allows for greater control over quality and traceability.
How does Raising Cane’s ensure consistency in the size and quality of its chicken fingers?
Raising Cane’s has strict specifications for the size and quality of the chicken used for its fingers. Suppliers must adhere to these specifications, and Cane’s conducts rigorous quality control checks to ensure consistency.
Is Raising Cane’s committed to sustainable sourcing practices for its chicken?
Yes, Raising Cane’s is committed to sustainable sourcing practices. This includes working with suppliers that prioritize environmental stewardship, such as reducing water usage and minimizing waste.
Does Raising Cane’s source chicken from small, independent farms?
While Raising Cane’s may partner with some smaller farms as part of their regional sourcing strategy, they primarily work with larger suppliers that can meet their volume and quality requirements. They are always seeking opportunities to support local and regional agriculture.
How does Raising Cane’s handle disruptions in its chicken supply chain?
Raising Cane’s maintains strong relationships with multiple suppliers to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions. They also have contingency plans in place to ensure a consistent supply of chicken to their restaurants.
Can customers find information about the specific farms that supply chicken to their local Raising Cane’s restaurant?
While Raising Cane’s doesn’t publicly disclose the names of specific farms that supply each restaurant, they are transparent about their sourcing practices and are committed to providing customers with information about the quality and welfare standards of their chicken.
Is Raising Cane’s planning to make any changes to its chicken sourcing practices in the future?
Raising Cane’s is continuously evaluating its sourcing practices and looking for ways to improve the quality, sustainability, and animal welfare of its chicken. They are committed to staying at the forefront of the industry and adapting to evolving consumer preferences.