AJ Kumaran
Cochief Executive Officer and
Chief Operating Officer
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Appointed: January 2024
Term expires: December 31, 2026
AJ Kumaranhas served as co–chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers since 2017 and has been with the brand for more than a decade. Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States. By the end of 2024, the fast-casual chain is approaching more than 900 restaurants across 41 states, $5 billion in annual sales, and more than 65,000 employees worldwide. Raising Cane's has been recognized as one of the top places to work in the United States by Forbes, Glassdoor, Newsweek, and USA Today.
Prior to joining Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, Mr. Kumaran served as president and chief operating officer of Gourmet Gulf LLC from 2012 to 2014 and in various leadership roles for Buffets Inc. from 2006 to 2012.
Mr. Kumaran is a member of the board of directors of the New Orleans Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.