Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, named Clay Dover president and chief marketing officer of the 70-unit company.

“We are thrilled to have a seasoned industry leader such as Clay join our team. He is a natural fit to lead Raising Cane’s mission to be the brand for quality chicken finger meals with restaurants all over the world,” Graves says.

Dover was previously president and CEO of Metromedia Restaurant Group, owner of brands such as Bennigan’s, Steak and Ale, and Ponderosa. Honored with the national 2007 Chain Leader Protégé of the Year Award for his outstanding achievements throughout his career, Dover also accepted the Cheers Magazine Award for Beverage Excellence and Best Chain Spirits Program for Bennigan’s.

Dover brings more than seventeen years of experience in the restaurant industry, leading marketing and management teams at Chili’s, Houlihan’s, Marie Callender’s, and more. He helped rebrand and turnaround casual dining chains such as Left at Albuquerque, Blue Chalk Café, and others. Dover also created the concept for Bennigan’s SPORT and expanded the MRG Tavern concept with the new 29-degree Tavern restaurants.

“I am excited to be involved in such an amazing company. To be on the ground floor of what will be one of the greatest brands is a thrilling experience,” Dover says.