Todd Graves Shares Top Hiring “Red Flag”: Frequent Job Changes Signal Lack of Team Commitment

Todd Graves, the billionaire CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, values passion and loyalty in his employees

Todd Graves, the billionaire CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, values passion and loyalty in his employees, a perspective shaped by his entrepreneurial journey. Graves, now 52 and worth $9.5 billion, built his fast-food empire from scratch, working 90-hour weeks at an oil refinery in Los Angeles in his 30s to fund his restaurant idea. He initially conceived the concept of a chicken fingers-only restaurant at Louisiana State University, where it was met with skepticism. Despite receiving the lowest grade for his startup pitch, Graves remained undeterred, eventually proving the naysayers wrong. When hiring, Graves is wary of job-hopping, a common trend among younger professionals. Speaking with CNBC Make It, he revealed his number one “red flag” when reviewing resumes: candidates who frequently change jobs every two to three years.

“I question that because it’s like, ‘Are you in it just for you?’” Graves explained, highlighting that job-hoppers often tend to hunt for titles and personal advancement over contribution to the organization. Such candidates, he noted, often use “buzzwords” they think interviewers want to hear rather than expressing genuine motivation. This tendency becomes apparent when scrutinized across multiple interviews. For Graves, it indicates a focus on control and status rather than teamwork. Graves seeks employees who are “intrinsically motivated” to support their colleagues and the company as a whole, finding this dedication essential for success. He’s seen that employees—from corporate roles to entry-level positions like cashiers and fry cooks—excel when they care about the collective well-being. Graves’ approach underlines his belief that a committed, team-oriented mindset is vital for both personal and organizational success.