Booming Chicken Restaurant Chain Banking on Expansion by Opening Multiple New Locations
In an ambitious expansion drive, fast-food chain Raising Cane's is set to open nearly 100 new restaurants across several new markets by the end of 2025. This follows a record-breaking 2024, during which the company opened 118 new locations nationwide, marking a significant increase from just over 500 five years ago.
Currently, Raising Cane's operates well over 800 locations in the U.S., with the chain aggressively growing towards its goal of reaching 1,600 restaurants across all major cities and new international locations. At any given time, about 300 restaurants are in various stages of development, with the company continually evaluating new sites globally to support this growth.
Founder and owner Todd Graves has set a lofty goal for Raising Cane's to become a top 10 U.S. restaurant brand, with sales of $10 billion, average unit volumes of $8 million per restaurant, 150,000 crew members, and giving back $100 million to communities.
The brand's impressive growth is evident in its sales figures. In 2024, Raising Cane's sales reached $5.1 billion, more than double the sales in 2021. Traffic also increased by 10.8% despite tighter consumer budgets and restaurant spending. Raising Cane's is currently third in U.S. chicken fast-food sales, behind Chick-fil-A and Popeyes.
Key upcoming new locations in 2025 include cities like Los Angeles (near SoFi Stadium), San Francisco (Fisherman’s Wharf), Seattle (near University of Washington), Visalia, California, Las Vegas, Ohio, Kansas, and Connecticut.
Raising Cane's, named after Graves' dog, is a chicken joint that is cashing in on the unwavering American appetite for chicken. The menu is very selective, featuring chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, and a trademark sauce. The company does not offer value plays or limited-time offers, and customers immediately know what to expect when they visit Raising Cane's.
AJ Kumaran, co-CEO of Raising Cane's, stated that the company's consistency and focus on quality have been key to its success. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index study, Chick-fil-A might be the most popular fast food chain, but Raising Cane's is quickly gaining ground.
The first Raising Cane's opened in 1996 in Baton Rouge. Since then, the company has been part of a massive expansion plan, outpacing KFC in sales and expanding nationwide. Every dog owned by Raising Cane's is also named Raising Cane.
As Raising Cane's continues its aggressive growth, it aims to maintain its focus on quality, consistency, and community impact. With ambitious goals and a strong brand identity, Raising Cane's is poised to make a significant mark in the fast-food industry.
Raising Cane's, in its quest for a top 10 U.S. restaurant brand status, plans to expand its lifestyle business by opening 100 new restaurants by 2025, reaching all major cities and international locations. This food-and-drink venture, with an aim to generate $10 billion in sales, will involve a workforce of over 150,000 crew members and contribute $100 million to communities, setting a distinguished example in the fast-food business world.
