Raising Cane's Opens 7 New Locations for 30th Anniversary

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers celebrates 30 years of business this August with an aggressive expansion strategy that brings seven new restaurants to communities across the United States. The Louisiana-based chain, which opened its very first location on August 28, 1996, plans to open in two entirely new markets while simultaneously reopening four remodeled locations throughout the month.

The milestone anniversary represents significant growth for the company founded by Todd Graves and named after his yellow Labrador. The expansion focuses on eastern North Carolina and southeastern Georgia as new markets, with locations scheduled to open in Rocky Mount and Statesboro respectively. The chain has already opened restaurants in Pensacola, Florida on June 16 and in Albany, Georgia on July 21 as part of its summer growth initiative.

“August is a meaningful month for Raising Cane’s as we celebrate our 30th birthday and reflect on how far we’ve come since opening our first Restaurant in 1996,” the company said in a statement. “From opening in new markets like Rocky Mount and Statesboro to welcoming customers back to newly remodeled Restaurants, every opening in August and beyond represents our continued commitment.”

Seven Strategic Openings Across Six States

The chicken finger chain will launch new locations across six different states throughout August, demonstrating its nationwide reach and ambitious expansion goals. The company kicked off the month with two simultaneous openings on August 3, bringing restaurants to Novi, Michigan at 26245 Novi Road and to Rocky Mount, North Carolina at 1010 N. Wesleyan Boulevard. The Michigan location represents a particularly special opening for the metro Detroit area.

California receives two new locations mid-month, with restaurants opening in Thousand Oaks at 400 N. Moorpark Road on August 10 and in Fontana at 16940 Slover Avenue on August 17. New Jersey also joins the expansion roster with a Linden location at 801 W. Edgar Road opening on August 17, marking the company’s continued push into the northeastern United States market.

The final week of August brings openings to the South, with restaurants launching in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at 1241 McFarland Boulevard East and Statesboro, Georgia at 24087 US-80, both scheduled for August 24. These southern locations represent a strategic return to the company’s Louisiana roots and regional strengths in the southeastern United States.

Novi Location Features One-of-a-Kind Community Design

The Novi, Michigan restaurant stands out among the August openings as what company officials describe as a “one-of-a-kind” location. Situated across from the Novi Town Center, the restaurant features carefully curated photographs and memorabilia that pay tribute to the city’s history, creating what the company calls a community-focused dining experience. This location marks an important expansion for Raising Cane’s in metro Detroit, joining existing restaurants in Canton, Ann Arbor, and East Lansing.

The Novi opening includes the chain’s signature “Lucky 20” promotion, where 20 customers who arrive early can win free food for a year. Restaurant officials collect entries between 8 and 9 a.m. on opening day from customers aged 13 and older who must be present to win. The company used the same promotional strategy at its Albany, Georgia opening in July, demonstrating a consistent approach to generating excitement in new markets.

“Opening our newest Restaurant in Novi is an exciting opportunity for our Crew, and we’re eager to bring Raising Cane’s to this incredible Community,” Raising Cane’s Area Leader of Restaurants Jessica Baranksi said. “We’re looking forward to sharing our Craveable Chicken Finger Meals with Customers in Novi and throughout Metro Detroit, while creating a welcoming place for friends, families and neighbors to gather.”

Remodeled Locations Return with Updated Facilities

Beyond new openings, Raising Cane’s plans to reopen four remodeled locations in existing markets throughout August, showcasing the company’s commitment to maintaining and upgrading its current footprint. The first reopening occurs in College Station, Texas at 1045 Texas Avenue on August 12, bringing updated facilities to the college town near Texas A&M University.

Mid-month reopenings take place on August 17 at two locations: Lexington, Kentucky at 2555 Nicholasville Road and Las Vegas, Nevada at 7550 S. Las Vegas Boulevard. The Las Vegas location sits on the famous Strip, representing a high-visibility site for the chain. The final reopening occurs in Gahanna, Ohio at 1320 N. Hamilton Road on August 24, coinciding with the final new store openings of the month.

Chain Built Reputation on Limited Menu and Signature Sauce

Raising Cane’s has built its three-decade success on a deliberately limited menu focused on chicken fingers, with the company known specifically for its signature “Cane’s Sauce,” which it describes as “thick and tangy” and made with multiple spices. The menu includes chicken fingers, fries, coleslaw, and the proprietary sauce, creating what the company calls “Craveable Chicken Finger Meals” that have driven customer loyalty across generations.

The Novi location operates Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight, with extended hours Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., matching the chain’s standard operating schedule designed to capture late-night dining traffic. As part of opening day festivities, Raising Cane’s will donate $1,000 to the Novi Youth Association, demonstrating the company’s commitment to community involvement at each new location.

The August expansion represents just one phase of Raising Cane’s broader growth strategy as the company continues to open restaurants in new and existing markets across the United States. The combination of seven new locations and four renovated sites in a single month demonstrates the chain’s operational capacity and confidence in its business model as it enters its fourth decade of operation.