Raising Cane's Honors Chuck Norris' Legacy With National Chicken Finger Day Campaign Benefiting Kickstart Kids

Raising Cane's is honoring the legacy of Chuck Norris in a meaningful way.

During a special event in Cypress, Texas, on Tuesday, July 14, the fast-growing chicken chain announced that it will donate $1 from every Box Combo sold on National Chicken Finger Day, July 27, up to $1 million, to benefit Kickstart Kids, the youth development organization Norris co-founded to teach character, discipline, and leadership through martial arts.

For Raising Cane's founder and CEO Todd Graves, however, the partnership is far more personal than a fundraising campaign.

"I wanted to honor Chuck," Graves told reporters during the press conference. "I never got to say goodbye. I was going to see him about a month before. I wanted to tell him thank you."

Graves explained that his admiration for Norris began long before the two became friends. As a kid, he watched The Way of the Dragon repeatedly, captivated by Norris' legendary fight with Bruce Lee. Years later, after opening his first Raising Cane's restaurant at age 24, Graves found himself searching for ways to develop as a leader.

"I didn't think of myself as a leader," he recalled. "I was just a cook."

Instead of hanging movie posters in his restaurants, Graves displayed Chuck Norris' "10 Codes of Conduct," using the principles to teach leadership and character to his growing team.

Their relationship eventually evolved from admiration to friendship after Raising Cane's reached out to support Kickstart Kids, the nonprofit Norris founded in 1990 alongside President George H.W. Bush to help students build confidence, discipline, and respect through martial arts.

Today, the program serves approximately 8,000 students in 58 Texas schools, with more than 120,000 students participating since its inception. One visit to a Kickstart Kids ceremony cemented Graves' commitment.

"I saw firsthand the transformation happening in these kids," he said. "I was bought in forever."

Graves said Norris became a mentor, frequently offering advice about leadership and organizational culture. One memory in particular, still stands out.

When Graves invited Norris to speak at Raising Cane's annual leadership retreat, he expected the martial arts legend to deliver a brief, informal talk. Instead, Norris arrived with 14 handwritten pages of notes prepared for the company's managers.

"Our leaders were blown away," Graves said. "I was so touched by the extra mile that he wanted to go. He cared."

Another moment left an equally lasting impression. Graves recalled Norris surprising him by presenting him with one of his personal karate gis, telling him he had only given one to one other person before - President Bush.

"I have it framed in our office," Graves said. "Everybody who comes in can see it."

Norris' wife, Gena, and the couple's twins, Dakota and Danilee, joined Graves for Tuesday's event, reflecting on the lasting impact Kickstart Kids continues to have on young people throughout Texas.

"We've always believed you don't have to go around the world to find your mission," Gena Norris said. "It's right in your backyard."

She described supporting children through Kickstart Kids as one of her family's greatest callings, adding that the organization's work became Chuck Norris' extended family.

For Graves, the campaign is as much about inspiring others to give back as it is about honoring one of his closest friends.

"We're a small part of Chuck's legacy," he said. "I hope other business leaders see this and get involved in something that's meaningful to them. Living a life of service, you get so much back because you know you're doing the right thing."

In addition to the National Chicken Finger Day fundraiser, Raising Cane's is also offering limited-edition Chuck Norris merchandise, with net proceeds benefiting Kickstart Kids.

As Graves reflected on the campaign, he returned to the reason behind it.

"This is his legacy," he said. "His family and Kickstart Kids - that's what he lived for."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published July 18, 2026 at 11:05 PM.