News Summary
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is set to open two new restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida. Located at the former Pollo Tropical sites, these restaurants will focus on efficient service with dual drive-thrus. Development documents have been submitted, reflecting the chain’s goal to establish a stronger presence in the state. With the brand’s unique chicken offerings, locals eagerly await this expansion.
Jacksonville – Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is set to expand its presence in Northeast Florida with the opening of two new restaurants in the Jacksonville area. This marks a significant step for the fast-food chain, which specializes in fried chicken fingers, as it looks to establish a more substantial footprint in the state.
The first proposed location is at 4863 Gate Parkway, situated at the former Pollo Tropical site in the Markets at Town Center. This restaurant will encompass 2,868 square feet and is designed to feature a dual drive-thru, facilitating a quicker service experience for customers.
Meanwhile, the second location will be located at 730 Skymarks Drive at River City Marketplace, also a former Pollo Tropical site. This establishment will be slightly smaller at 2,683 square feet and will likewise include a dual drive-thru for efficient service.
Documents necessary for the development of both locations were submitted to the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) on May 13. Both sites are currently undergoing preparations for construction, including plans for the demolition of the existing Pollo Tropical buildings.
The recent relocations come after Pollo Tropical decided to close its Town Center and River City Marketplace locations to focus on markets within Florida that present higher growth potential. This decision by Pollo Tropical has paved the way for Raising Cane’s to enter these vibrant areas.
Raising Cane’s made its debut in Jacksonville in October 2023 with a location at 8308 Merchants Way, near Gator’s Dockside. The fast-food chain is also exploring opportunities for another site, having filed plans for an outparcel at the Regency Square Mall, which is currently undergoing redevelopment and will be renamed The Nexus at Regency. The proposed layout indicates the mall will feature a 2,786-square-foot Raising Cane’s restaurant with 75 seats and a two-lane drive-thru, ideally positioned on the east side of the mall’s main entrance off Atlantic Boulevard.
Founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is renowned for its unique menu that focuses primarily on fried chicken fingers accompanied by the signature Cane’s sauce. Customers can choose from a variety of combo meals that include chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, and coleslaw, with the option of a chicken sandwich as well.
The restaurant chain made its first appearance in Florida in early 2022 in the upscale South Beach area of Miami. Since then, Raising Cane’s has expanded to a total of 20 locations across the state, with the nearest establishments to Jacksonville situated in Gainesville and Daytona Beach.
Although the anticipated opening dates for the new Jacksonville locations have not been announced, the development reflects the growing demand for Raising Cane’s offering of consistently prepared fried chicken and sides. As the chain progresses with its expansion plans, the local community eagerly awaits the arrival of new dining options.
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Additional Resources
- First Coast News
- Wikipedia: Raising Cane’s
- News 4 Jax
- Google Search: Raising Cane’s expansion Jacksonville
- The Florida Times-Union
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fast Food
- Jax Daily Record
- Google News: Raising Cane’s Jacksonville
