Fast-food chain Raising Cane's is facing intense online criticism after using artificial intelligence to feature the late actor Chuck Norris in a nationwide advertising campaign.
The campaign launched on July 27, 2026, for National Chicken Finger Day.
It pledged a donation of $1 from every Box Combo sold, up to $1 million, to Kickstart Kids, a youth martial arts organization co-founded by Norris.
Norris, a longtime friend of Raising Cane's founder Todd Graves, died in March at age 86.
Despite the charitable goal, users on X and Reddit quickly criticized the company for deploying generative AI imagery across television, digital media, billboards, and restaurant signage.
In one commercial spot, a digitally rendered version of Norris uses a disposable straw to defeat a henchman.
Another ad features an AI-generated version of Graves teaming up with Norris to defend a restaurant location.
Discontent spread rapidly after the ad release, with customers expressing frustration over the corporate use of synthetic media.
"Why is nobody talking about the fact Raising Cane's is running AI ads?" asked an X user.
Another critic condemned the visual quality of the promotional material in a Reddit thread titled "Gross Generative AI Chuck Norris Signage."
"Walked in and was dumbfounded by how bad it was," wrote one Reddit user.
Other commentators voiced concern over the broader cultural implications of replacing human creators with automated tools. "Dystopian," noted another.
Some social media users expressed deep personal disappointment. "This actually breaks my heart and I should've expected this," someone else wrote.
Additional criticism focused on economic choices regarding creative labor. "Disgraceful tbh," posted one more.
"Billionaire can't pay an artist a decent wage. Embarrassing."
Consumer frustration extended to threats of boycotts. "Personally I'm never eating Raising Cane's again.
Distasteful to Chuck, to artists, and to designers," said one person.
Other patrons cited objections to the campaign's featured subject.
"Using AI to create the likeness of major homophobe makes me not want to go back," another commenter said.
Family Approval and Response
In response to the growing public reaction, company representatives confirmed that the campaign had received full authorization from the late actor's family.
The multimedia campaign also features live appearances by Gena Norris and her twins Dakota and Danilee Norris.
It was produced with family consent, according to a Raising Cane's representative speaking to TODAY. com.
The family publicly endorsed the partnership as a continuation of Norris's philanthropic efforts.
"Chuck and Todd shared a friendship built on mutual respect, generosity and a belief in helping young people become the best versions of themselves," Gena Norris said in a press release.
She emphasized her family's endorsement of the fundraising project. "Chuck would be deeply honored to know that his legacy is continuing in such a meaningful way."
"Our family is incredibly grateful to Todd and everyone at Raising Cane's for celebrating my husband's life and helping carry forward the work that meant so much to him," she continued.
The family's approval stands in contrast to their reaction to unauthorized synthetic media following Norris's death in April.
In April, the family explicitly condemned unauthorized AI-generated videos that circulated online regarding his passing, health history, and fake funeral depictions.
"We are aware that since Chuck's passing, there have been a number of AI-generated videos and posts circulating online that contain false and misleading information," read a statement posted to his Instagram stories, as reported by Variety.
The family urged the public to disregard unauthorized digital claims. "These claims are entirely untrue."
The current fundraising effort for Kickstart Kids remains active across Raising Cane's locations nationwide.
