Why Raising Cane’s Sponsored Team USA Women’s Beach Volleyball’s Kristen Nuss And Taryn Kloth

Ahead of their Olympic debut, No. 1 ranked women’s beach volleyball team Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth partnered with Raising Cane’s in a deal showcasing the importance of localized sport sponsorship. Working a shift at the original Raising Cane’s location near the North Gates of LSU, Nuss and Kloth took turns at the front counter and drive-thru, while reflecting on the importance of local support to their journeys.

Meeting as NCAA beach volleyball athletes, Nuss and Kloth competed at LSU before college athletes could profit from their NIL. After graduating, the two opted to stay in Baton Rouge to train at Mango’s Outdoor Volleyball Complex. Qualifying for the Olympics in March, the two carved their own path as they are the first U.S. Olympics women’s beach volleyball team to not primarily train in California.

“From the beginning, we said we wanted to rewrite the script,” Nuss said. “We didn’t move out to California like what everyone else does, or what it seems like you have to do to make it.”

Remaining in Louisiana has allowed the pair to develop a localized approach to sport sponsorship. Despite not being able to enter into partnerships as star college athletes, they are grateful for the support the Louisiana community has provided in their Olympic journey.

“We couldn’t do this journey without sponsors,” Kloth said. “Something we will always be thankful for is the amount of support we got from local Louisiana companies.”

For Raising Cane’s, the partnership was a natural fit demonstrating the company’s commitment to community building.

“They’re fans of Cane’s, training right here in Baton Rouge,” said Raising Cane’s chief marketing officer, Kim Freer. “They are the first alums to represent LSU for beach volleyball in the Olympics. We just wanted to support them in their journey. It was a perfectly natural integration in terms of wanting to be a part of a huge accomplishment they’ve had in their career and celebrate something that’s really cool for them.”

Raising Cane’s has historically relied on localized sport sponsorship to drive excitement for its brand. Earlier this year intercollegiate champions, including Livvy Dunne, Drake Maye and Kamilla Cardoso, surprised fans at their local Raising Cane’s locations. Pro athletes have also gotten in on the fun. In April, Mookie Betts worked at shift at a Los Angeles location before the Dodgers’ home opener.

For Raising Cane’s, athlete partnerships are all about supporting the local community.

“We’ve always been involved in the local community and what’s happening around an area’s restaurant,” Freer said. “Fans and players enjoy hanging out at Cane’s before or after games. It is really this natural integration with the brand and athletes as a way to celebrate those accomplishments at Cane’s.”

Through these opportunities, Raising Cane’s hopes to foster positive memory creation for athletes and fans alike.

“Athletes can be role models; their successes and determination are aspirational to all of us,” Freer said. “Feeling like that extension of the team, it’s about creating those memories for people and having Cane’s as part of the foundation for that.”

Thanks to their partnership, Nuss and Kloth now have a new favorite Raising Cane’s memory.

“It’s so cool, because we literally met at LSU, which is right down the street and then to be right here at Raising Cane’s four years later is so cool,” Kloth reflected.