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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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