There’s going to be a new fried chicken joint in Atlanta, and it punches above its weight in the Southeast. Raising Cane’s is expanding throughout Georgia, with plans to open in Midtown Atlanta as well in Cumming, Conyers and Kennesaw in 2025.

In Atlanta, Raising Cane’s will take over the spot where Krystal is now at the intersection of 14th Street and Northside Drive.

Raising Cane’s is a fast-food restaurant franchise known for specializing in chicken fingers, and it has grown into a popular chain with locations across the United States and internationally. Here’s an overview of the history of Raising Cane’s.

What Is Raising Cane’s Menu Known For?

Photo credit: Raising Cane’s/Instagram

Raising Cane’s is primarily known for its chicken fingers (look out, Chick-fil-A). The restaurant’s menu is simple and focused, offering high-quality, hand-battered, and fried chicken tenders as its main offering. Here’s what Raising Cane’s is particularly known for:

1. Chicken Fingers: The restaurant’s main dish is its chicken fingers, which are freshly prepared, hand-breaded, and fried to a crispy golden perfection. These tenders are the foundation of their menu.
2. Cane’s Sauce: Raising Cane’s has a signature dipping sauce, called Cane’s Sauce, which is a creamy, tangy sauce made with a secret recipe. It’s widely popular and often considered the perfect complement to their chicken fingers.
3. Simple Menu: Unlike many fast-food chains that offer a broad variety of items, Raising Cane’s has a streamlined menu, focusing on just a few items: chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and Texas toast. This simplicity allows them to focus on perfecting each item.
4. Texas Toast: Their Texas toast, a thick slice of buttered and grilled bread, is another fan favorite, often served as a side dish with their chicken fingers.
5. Crinkle-Cut Fries: Raising Cane’s serves crispy, crinkle-cut fries, which pair perfectly with their chicken fingers and Cane’s Sauce.

Raising Cane’s: A History

In 1996, entrepreneur Todd Graves opened the first Raising Cane’s location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, near the Louisiana State University (LSU) campus. The restaurant’s concept was straightforward but effective: it specialized in high-quality, fresh chicken fingers, served with crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and their signature dipping sauce.

The restaurant’s slogan, “One Love,” emphasized the idea of focusing on one thing and doing it exceptionally well, which became the brand’s central philosophy.

The early success of the Baton Rouge location paved the way for expansion. By the early 2000s, Raising Cane’s began opening new locations in Louisiana and other southern states. The restaurant chain’s focus on offering a simple, limited menu of chicken fingers allowed them to streamline operations and maintain high food quality, which resonated with customers.

Today, the company remains privately owned by Todd Graves and a few other key executives. Its focus on chicken fingers and its commitment to quality, paired with its distinctive culture and customer experience, have made it a beloved brand in the fast-food industry.

Key Points About Raising Cane’s

• Founder: Todd Graves
• Founded: 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Signature Dish: Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and signature Cane’s sauce
• Expansion: Rapid national and international growth, with over 500 locations as of 2024
• Philosophy: “One Love” – focusing on doing one thing (chicken fingers) exceptionally well
• Employee Culture: Emphasizes employee satisfaction and leadership development

Final Word

Raising Cane’s is also planning to open more than 100 new locations in 2024 in new markets. The Baton Rouge-based fast-food chain is opening soon in the following markets:

• Atlanta — Raising Cane’s plans to open restaurants in Cumming, Conyers, and Kennesaw in late 2024, and its first intown location in West Midtown in spring 2026. 
• Snellville –Raising Cane’s is moving forward with plans to open a restaurant in Snellville. 
• Findlay — Raising Cane’s has submitted a site plan for a new location in Findlay. 
• Boston — Raising Cane’s plans to open at least three new locations in Greater Boston, including one at 101 Arch St in Downtown Crossing. 
• Michigan — Developers are considering a Raising Cane’s location near the corner of Milham Avenue and Westnedge Avenue in Portage.

Chicken tenders are about to explode in popularity with the entry of Raising Cane’s to the Atlanta fast-food market. For a more full-service experience, check out the best places to eat in Midtown Atlanta.

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If you want to try some diverse cuisine in a small-town atmosphere, you might want to check out Sandy Springs. Yes, you can now eat Sandy Springs.

What does the city taste like? Greek, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Brazilian, French, Indian and more.

Eat Sandy Springs Along the City’s Restaurant Row

The city on Nov. 16 i​ntroduced its Restaurant Row, a corridor of culinary goodness that is quickly becoming a dining mecca.

How Many Restaurants Are Located in Sandy Springs?

More than 120 independent eateries are located along the 10 miles that run through Sandy Springs on Roswell Road, the city says.

You can find everything from Mediterranean fare to pho, vermicelli bowls, Italian, Mexican and more along the corridor.

Among the newest eateries in Sandy Springs are Pendolino, an Italian concept from famed local chef owner Kevin Maxey, and Social Bites Food Hub, a two-story food hall with a mix of fun offerings and live entertainment on the weekends.

A short distance from the Skate City Springs, you can find more great places to eat.

What To Eat at Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs has some great places to eat and what I love are the particular dishes you can find on their respective menus. Here are some of the faves:

C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar – Sandy Springs

6125 Roswell Rd Suite 700, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | (470) 427-3826

Here’s what one customer says about C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar. “Can you say amazing!!! The best charbroiled oysters ever! The Cesar salad was great I loved the dressing! The bread was even great! Great simple Atmosphere great vibe! Our Waiter  was wonderful great experience!”

The Charbroiled Oysters on a Half Shell at C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar are to die for, served with garlic sauce and parmesan.

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

4600 Roswell Rd Bldg C Ste 110, Sandy Springs, GA 30342 | (404) 649-6334

Here’s what one diner at Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar says. “Cute atmosphere with plenty of opportunities for freebies and discounts on your meal. The ingredients seem fairly high quality and well prepared. Definitely recommend the Tupelo Shrimp and Grits and the Fried Green Tomatoes, some of the better versions of those dishes I’ve had anywhere. The Creole Shrimp Linguine, while decent and filling, was a bit bland so not really worth ordering compared to the shrimp and grits.”

Abuelos Mexican Kitchen and Cantina

6631 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 |  (404) 565-0410

Here’s what one customer says about Abuelos. “Definitely looking forward to our second visit here. Hands down best margaritas and oh did I mention the outstanding and superb steak tacos we had. Best homemade salsa ever!!! And best customer service bar none. So if your looking the best go to Abuelos mexican. Roswell rd Sandy Springs.”

And at Italian eatery Tre Vele, you don’t want to miss Tuesdays, when you can enjoy freshly grated cheese from the cheese wheel.

There’s also the Media Noche at Cubanos​ and the Cazuelita Barcelona at Pisco Latin Kitchen. If you love Shawarma, you’ll love Rumi’s Kitchen as well as SabaRaba’s.

Final Bite

You don’t have to travel to downtown Atlanta or Midtown to find excellent restaurants, Sandy Springs is where it’s at for new restaurants as well as old faithful spots. Check out these great restaurants in Sandy Springs.

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A newbornwestern lowland gorilla has died, according to Zoo Atlanta.

Kambera, one of the zoo’s western lowland gorillas, gave birth on Nov. 13, the 27th gorilla born at Zoo Atlanta, according to officials. The baby died later in the day.

The father was Willie B. Jr., the son of Zoo Atlanta’s most famous gorilla, Willie B.

The infant initially had a strong grip, appeared healthy, and was nursing well, but things soon went awry.

Read up on everything you want to know about Zoo Atlanta.

Before the infant’s health deteriorated, zoo officials were optimistic.

“We are very encouraged and cautiously optimistic that the baby will be able to nurse regularly in the near future,” said Sam Rivera, Zoo Atlanta’s vice president of animal health. “Intervention is never a preferred measure unless an infant’s health is in question, as we always want to see gorilla babies remain with their mothers with no human interference. Fortunately, our teams were prepared for a variety of outcomes with this birth. We continue to closely watch both Kambera and the infant to ensure both remain healthy.”

This newborn was among more than two dozen gorillas born at Zoo Atlanta since the debut of The Ford African Rain Forest in 1988.

“The legacy of Willie B. is a story deeply rooted in Atlanta’s history,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO of Zoo Atlanta. “Generations of Atlantans have connected with Willie B., his descendants, and the larger message of gorilla conservation. We are excited to see this legacy continue and to welcome a new ambassador for this critically endangered species.”

Willie B., Jr.’s four sisters—Kudzoo, Olympia, Sukari, and Lulu— help make up Zoo Atlanta’s gorilla legacy as group members and mothers. Kudzoo, Sukari, and Lulu still reside at Zoo Atlanta with their own offspring, while Olympia lives at another AZA-accredited organization and is the mother of a son.

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