Just days after Raising Cane’s Owner and Founder Todd Graves made Guinness World Records history on the East Coast with a 3,156-pound behemoth in Salem, the chicken-finger kingpin brought the spooky magic straight to Tinseltown.
Sitting directly on Hollywood Boulevard right next to the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre and Cane’s Hollywood & Highland flagship, Graves unveiled the runner-up monster of the season: a massive, 2,613-pound Oregon-grown pumpkin affectionately dubbed “SpongeBlob.”
If you’re wondering what it takes to turn a 2,600-pound agricultural marvel into an intricate, spooky work of art in the middle of bustling Los Angeles, the answer is a squad of the best pumpkin sculptors on the planet. Assembled through Eric Jones Studios, the Hollywood dream team featured Food Network Halloween Wars alumni Jamie Louks, Anthony Pater, and Drew Smith, who spent days live-sculpting in front of crowds of fascinated tourists.
“This is so surreal. This is the largest pumpkin that I’ve ever carved in my life, and I don’t know how much bigger I’m going to get,” Anthony Pater told Celeb Secrets. “Collaborating with two of the best sculptors on the planet and pushing each other to the max—there’s nothing like it.”
The design is a masterclass in detail, blending classic Halloween imagery with signature Raising Cane’s Easter eggs. Along with bold Cane’s logos, Halloween creatures sipping Cane’s sodas, and tributes to LA, the standout sculpture on the pumpkin is an intricate skeleton version of Cane III, the brand’s beloved yellow Labrador mascot.
“In every single Raising Cane’s pumpkin, there’s always going to be [Cane III] on there, and this year she is an intricate skeleton dog with the ‘1’ on her scarf. She turned out super cute, but spooky,” shared Jamie Louks.
Pater, who was assigned that specific side of the gourd, admitted Cane III won him over despite his personal pet preference: “The irony is, I love how Cane came out, but when we designated sides, I was thinking, ‘I do not want to carve that dog.’ I love dogs, but I’m more of a cat person! But once I got into the groove, the little one grew on me. She’s cute.”
When asked about pro carving secrets, Louks spilled some behind-the-scenes tea for fans carving at home: “We use something called loop tools to pull away material faster instead of those traditional tiny saws. A lot of the time, we’re just sculpting into the surface rather than cutting the pumpkin open. That actually prolongs the life of the pumpkin! Throw a spotlight on it instead of putting a light inside, and it will last way longer.”
Among the stars stopping by the Hollywood & Highland courtyard was actor Jesse Metcalfe, who couldn’t get over the size of the Pacific Northwest-grown gourd.
“We’re getting in the Halloween spirit with Raising Cane’s, and what better way to do it than with a massive pumpkin,” Metcalfe told Celeb Secrets. “This is actually the second-heaviest jack-o’-lantern, because the first is on display in Salem at 3,156 pounds, and this one is 2,613 pounds. So we got the runner-up here in Hollywood!”
Admiring the artistry, Metcalfe pointed out the canine tribute: “Apparently the dog carved into the side is Cane III. I never knew Raising Cane’s is actually named after Todd Graves’ dog — that’s fascinating! And obviously, I’m here to have some chicken fingers dipped in Cane’s sauce. It’s one of my absolute favorites. I usually order a Box Combo… and I’m probably more of a lemonade guy.”
Social media sensation Jojo Sim was equally stunned when he walked up to “SpongeBlob” on the boulevard.
“I honestly didn’t know that they make pumpkins this big!” Jojo laughed with Celeb Secrets. “At first, I thought it was going to be smaller, but this is bigger than me for sure. It’s crazy to see in person, and all the designs on here are the coolest part.”
When it comes to Raising Cane’s, Jojo’s go-to item is non-negotiable: “The Texas toast is the first thing I want to get out of the way! That’s always been my favorite since I was a little kid, so I make sure to get two of those at least with the Box Combo. And meeting Todd once before, he was super nice—so it’s incredible to see the man who runs this company put this massive pumpkin together.”
While 2,600-pound gourds and Hollywood blockbusters feel world-class, Graves’ fall tradition started humbly years ago by handing out handmade “ghost pops” — Tootsie Pops wrapped in white tissue and tied with orange yarn — to his restaurant crew members.
Over the last seven years, Graves’ passion for the holiday turned into coast-to-coast public art displays designed to inspire everyday families.
Between the record-shattering 3,156-pound display in Salem and “SpongeBlob” commanding attention outside the TCL Chinese Theatre, the carvers themselves couldn’t help but profess their love for the brand.
“It was like 10:30 at night in the middle of Ohio, starving and exhausted,” Pater reminisced about his first Cane’s run. “We went inside, got the best chicken and fries, and that sauce was a mind-numbing experience. I get so lost in the sauce, it’s not even funny.”
You can check out the massive 2,613-pound jack-o’-lantern in person in the courtyard outside Raising Cane’s at 6933 Hollywood Blvd next to the TCL Chinese Theatre and Walk of Fame. The Giant Pumpkin will be on display all weekend, officially leaving the iconic spot on Sunday, November 1. If you’re also planning on ordering some food, you can grab the limited-edition, glow-in-the-dark 32 oz. Halloween Collectible Cup for $1.49 with the purchase of any combo or large drink.
For more coverage on Raising Cane’s, click here.
