There are legendary friendships, and then there’s the kind of bond that leaves an impact spanning decades, thousands of young lives, and a shared love for the perfect chicken finger.
Ahead of National Chicken Finger Day on July 27, Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves hosted a beautiful, emotion-filled celebration at a Cypress-area restaurant. The guest of honor? The family of his late, dear friend, mentor, and Texas icon, Chuck Norris.
Joined by Chuck’s wife, Gena O’Kelley Norris, and their 24-year-old twins, Dakota and Danilee “Dani” Norris, Graves officially launched a massive nationwide tribute to the action star. To honor Chuck’s enduring legacy of philanthropy, Raising Cane’s announced a major financial donation to Kickstart Kids — the youth character development nonprofit Chuck co-founded 35 years ago to empower public school students through martial arts.
For Todd Graves, the love for Chuck Norris started as a kid watching Way of the Dragon. But as he grew up and built Raising Cane’s from the ground up, Chuck transitioned from a childhood hero to a real-life business mentor.
“When I opened the first restaurant, I didn’t think of myself as a leader. I was just a fry cook,” Graves shared with Celeb Secrets and other media during a press conference on Tuesday (July 14). “Then I saw a poster of Chuck Norris’ 10 codes of conduct. I put those up in the restaurant… we incorporated that into our management and how we want to lead our people.”
Eventually, that mutual respect led to an official partnership — and an instantly legendary friendship. Gena Norris smiled as she recalled the immediate chemistry between her husband and the fast-food mogul.
“He cared about your managers. He could see your passion for your people,” Gena told Graves in the session. “There was such synergy because that’s the way we live our life… but it didn’t hurt that he put you in a karate gi. Or that he put you in a headlock, too! It was definitely a bromance from the beginning.”
Graves laughed, fondly recalling how the martial arts master would gently haze him. “He would fake spar with me, then he’d put me in a headlock… I think he just told me, ‘Tap, Todd. Tap.’ He was just letting you know who was in charge, really.”
At one of their early events, Chuck completely blindsided Graves by gifting him a custom-made karate gi adorned with the Raising Cane’s logo — making Todd an honorary black belt. “He said, ‘Todd, I’ve only done this for you and George H. W. Bush,'” Graves remembered proudly. “It’s epic. I have it framed in our office in Dallas. Everybody can come into the ‘Chuck Norris Room’ and see it.”
While the world knew Chuck as the invincible star of Walker, Texas Ranger, Dakota and Dani knew him as a dedicated father who wanted them to experience the discipline of martial arts firsthand. Both twins are currently fifth-degree black belts and are testing for their sixth-degree belts.
“Our dad wanted me and my brother to grow up with that discipline that martial arts brings you,” Dani reflected. “I tell [our instructor] to this day that I would not be where I am at today without it… It makes me so happy that those kids get to find themselves through it.”
But training with a living legend wasn’t for the faint of heart. Chuck was famous in the family for his relentless “just one more” rule during workouts.
“The times that my dad would train us and help perfect my katas before competition—oh my gosh, it was so intense,” Dani laughed. “But I would get compliments back, like, ‘That was the best I’ve ever seen you perform.’ I’m like, ‘I would hope so!'”
Gena interjected with a laugh, “It was painful as a mom watching them go through their belt ranks because it really is very intense… I’ve pulled [the instructors] aside like, ‘Please don’t do that to my kids anymore!’ But it’s necessary for the discipline.”
On July 27, Raising Cane’s will officially kick off National Chicken Finger Day by donating $1 from every Box Combo sold nationwide, up to $1,000,000, directly to Kickstart Kids. Net proceeds from a limited-edition Chuck Norris x Raising Cane’s merchandise collection will also benefit the charity.
For Gena, the massive contribution is a game-changer that ensures Chuck’s life work outlives them all. “This gift is tremendous for us… it is going to allow us to be able to start our endowment after 35 years of doing this,” she said dynamically. “I know that my husband’s watching today. He is with us in spirit, and I know that he would want me to tell you thank you so much.”
For Graves, the campaign is a way to finally say the goodbye he never got to give his best friend.
“I lost my best friend, too, so I was going through how to deal with grief,” Graves said softly. “For me, it was: don’t think about the sadness that he’s gone. Think about what he did for your life and for people… I didn’t get to say goodbye. I was actually gonna see him a month before he passed, just to tell him thank you and give him a hug. Since I didn’t get to do that, this was the best way I could do it, ’cause I know he’s watching. I know he’s in favor, and I know he’s like, ‘Thank you, buddy.'”
A life of service, as both Todd and Gena agreed, is a life of purpose. And through this massive partnership, Chuck Norris’ mission to build strong, disciplined, and confident kids will continue to kick start futures for generations to come.
To learn more about the campaign or to make a direct donation to support youth martial arts character development, visit KickstartKids.org.
