Popular chicken chain Raising Cane’s has announced the opening date for its first Champaign location.
The restaurant is at 411 E. Green St. in Campustown. According to its Facebook post, it will open Feb. 28. Those who visit between 8-9 a.m. will have a chance to be one of 20 to win free food for a year. Winners will be drawn at 9:30 a.m.
A second Champaign location, located at the site of the former Applebee’s at 2121 N. Prospect Ave., is currently under construction with a tentative opening timeframe of spring 2023.
Raising Cane’s is known for its chicken fingers. It features — by fast-food standards — an extremely small menu that consists of chicken fingers and, well, that’s just about it. The menu includes three chicken finger meal options and one chicken sandwich. That’s pretty much it. Its signature dipping sauce is one reason for the chain’s popularity. (Meals also include fries and Texas toast. Cole slaw is an option.)
The Campustown location does not have a drive-thru. The North Prospect restaurant is expected to feature two drive-thru lanes.
Raising Cane’s has restaurants spread from coast to coast, although Champaign is one of the northernmost locations in the U.S. Most of its locations are in the southern half of the country.