Glen Powell Scores Big With Raising Cane’s 'Chad Powers' Tailgate Party

Raising Cane's and Glen Powell just turned a Friday night tailgate into Hollywood's hottest touchdown. The iconic chicken-finger chain teamed up with the actor to celebrate the premiere of Hulu's new comedy series "Chad Powers" with an exclusive first-look screening and an all-out party at Cane's Torrance restaurant. Hosted by Raising Cane's founder and owner, Todd Graves, and "Chad Powers," star Glen Powell, the event drew fans, football lovers, and celebrity friends for a night of food, fun, and football flair.

Guests snapped selfies on Cane's famous Texas toast couch, showed off their game-day spirit with co-branded helmets and jerseys, and jumped into activities like sauce pong, cornhole, and even a round of football drills. After the tailgate fun, attendees were treated to a giant outdoor screening of the show's premiere episode.

Among the VIP crowd were David Dobrik, JoJo Sim, Olivia Pierson, Rams running back Kyren Williams, and UCLA basketball star Kiki Rice, who all joined in the party atmosphere. With a live DJ spinning tracks, the event felt more like a victory celebration than a brand activation.

The night wasn't just about the party; it was the launchpad for Raising Cane's nationwide "Think Fast. Eat Fast" campaign, running through November 4 across all 900+ restaurants. The 360-degree push includes billboards, commercials, in-store signage, radio spots, and a strong digital presence spotlighting Cane's craveable chicken meals alongside Hulu's new football-themed comedy.

It's no coincidence that Glen Powell was the perfect partner for Raising Cane's football-inspired celebration, as the actor is a self-proclaimed diehard fan of the game. And when it comes to tailgating, he knows exactly how to keep the energy going long after the final whistle.

Speaking to Food & Wine, Powell explained his approach to game-day gatherings. "I always try to think of what people need," he admitted. "We're coming back from the game. Everybody's had a few drinks. What are people craving? What do I need at the house? What should get delivered as people are showing up?"

For Powell, it's all about reading the room, anticipating those post-game cravings, and making sure friends walk into a house stocked with food that hits the spot. It's that same "feed the moment" mentality that made Raising Cane's partnership with Chad Powers such a natural fit.

With deep roots in college football culture, its very first location opened across from LSU's North Gates, Raising Cane's has long supported athletes and the communities that rally behind them. From sponsoring youth football camps to inviting college athletes to work interactive shifts at restaurants nationwide, the brand knows how to bring fans closer to the game.

That made Cane's the perfect fit for "Chad Powers," which follows Russ Holliday, a hotshot quarterback forced to reinvent himself as quirky walk-on Chad Powers after a career-derailing mistake. The Hulu Original was produced by Powell alongside football legends Eli and Peyton Manning, both longtime friends of Todd Graves.

The event also highlights Raising Cane's ongoing ties with the Manning family. Graves has been a regular supporter of their charitable initiatives, from sponsoring the Manning Passing Academy to donating $1 million to the Manning Family Children's Hospital earlier this year. Cane's has even tapped Archie, Cooper, Eli, and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier for recent commercials, further cementing its role in football culture.

With Powell joining forces with the Mannings for "Chad Powers," the collaboration felt like a natural next chapter.

The Los Angeles kickoff was just the beginning. As "Chad Powers" streams on Hulu and Raising Cane's rolls out its national campaign, fans across the country are invited to join in the fun, whether by grabbing a hot box of chicken fingers or tuning in to see Powell's quirky alter ego take the field.

For Cane's, the event was about more than chicken and TV. It was about celebrating community, football, and the kind of underdog story everyone can cheer for.

And if last weekend's tailgate proved anything, it's that Glen Powell's "Chad Powers" and Raising Cane's are already a winning team.