10 Must-Know Facts About Raising Cane's Explosive May Expansion

Raising Cane's, the Louisiana-born chicken finger empire famous for its zesty sauce and crispy fries, is making headlines this month with a wave of new openings across the country. From its first-ever Arkansas restaurant to a cutting-edge drive-thru in New York City, the chain is on a tear. But there's more to the story than just addresses—this expansion reflects a deeper strategy to become a top-10 U.S. brand. Here are 10 things you need to know about Cane's May rollout.

1. The Chicken Finger King Is on a Growth Spurt

Raising Cane's—known for its simple, focused menu of chicken fingers, crinkle fries, coleslaw, and Texas toast—has been opening locations at a breakneck pace. In 2025 alone, the chain added 100 new restaurants, and it celebrated its 1,000th outlet last month on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This May, the momentum continues with multiple openings across seven states, underscoring the company's ambition to become one of America's most dominant fast-food brands.

2. Arkansas Is Getting Its First Ever Raising Cane's

For fans in Arkansas, the wait is finally over. On May 12, Raising Cane's will open its first location in the state at 2511 E. Highland Drive in Jonesboro. This marks a major milestone for the chain, which has long been concentrated in the South and Southwest. The move into Arkansas signals Cane's commitment to expanding its footprint into new territories, bringing its signature tangy sauce and warm hospitality to a fresh audience.

3. A Drive-Thru Innovation Hits Queens, New York

On May 13, a brand-new drive-thru location opens at 230-05 Merrick Blvd. in Laurelton, Queens. This follows a similar concept earlier this year in Brooklyn (2143 Flatbush Ave.), which featured a walk-up window and a heated patio. The Queens outpost will allow customers to order on-site, online, or via the app, catering to the on-the-go lifestyle of New Yorkers. It's part of Cane's push to adapt its model for dense urban environments.

4. Two Locations Are Getting Major Revamps

Raising Cane's isn't just building new stores—it's also reinvesting in existing ones. On May 4, the Oklahoma City location at 14100 N. Pennsylvania Ave. reopens after renovations, and on May 18, the Lexington, Kentucky, restaurant at 2201 W. Admiral Way follows suit. “We’re staying committed to the restaurants that have helped build us,” the company said, highlighting its focus on quality upgrades to ensure every visit meets high standards.

5. New Restaurants Land in Seven States

Besides Arkansas, new Raising Cane's are opening in California, New York, North Carolina, Maryland, Florida, and Ohio. The full rollout begins May 12 and continues through May 27. States like Maryland and Ohio are seeing their first Cane's of 2025, while Florida and North Carolina get additional density. Each location features the brand's signature drive-thru and dine-in setup, designed for speed and consistency.

6. The Chain Just Hit 1,000 Restaurants

Last month, Raising Cane's opened its 1,000th restaurant on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles—a symbolic location that cements its pop-culture status. With this May's additions, the count is climbing even higher. The achievement reflects decades of growth from a single Baton Rouge store in 1996 to a nationwide phenomenon. CEO and founder Todd Graves often credits the simple, focused menu for the brand's loyal following.

7. The Goal: 1,600-Plus Locations and a Top-10 Ranking

Raising Cane's isn't stopping at 1,000. The company has stated its ambition to operate over 1,600 restaurants and become a top-10 U.S. restaurant brand. Last year, executives told FOX Business that it typically has about 300 new restaurants in various stages of development. “We’re continually evaluating sites all over the world,” they said. This May's openings are just one piece of that larger puzzle.

8. Full List of May Openings and Reopenings

Here’s every Raising Cane's location debuting or reopening this month, with dates:

• May 4 (reopening): 14100 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, OK
• May 12 (first): 2511 E. Highland Drive, Jonesboro, AR
• May 12: 2299 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro, CA
• May 13: 230-05 Merrick Blvd., Laurelton, NY
• May 18 (reopening): 2201 W. Admiral Way, Lexington, KY
• May 22: 4423 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC
• May 27: 10231 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD
• May 27: 3433 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL
• May 27: 3921 Medina Road, Akron, OH

9. Order Any Way You Like—On-Site or Online

Raising Cane's is embracing modern convenience. All new locations offer multiple ordering channels: drive-thru, walk-up windows (in select urban stores), in-person counter, and mobile ordering via the app or website. The Queens drive-thru, for example, combines speed with a covered heated patio for those who want to eat on-site. This flexibility helps Cane's cater to different customer preferences while maintaining its famous “One Love” service.

10. What's Next for Raising Cane's?

With 300 restaurants in development and an aggressive national strategy, Raising Cane's shows no signs of slowing down. The chain is eyeing new states, more urban drive-thrus, and possibly international expansion. For now, May's openings give fans plenty of new spots to grab their favorite combo. As the brand works toward its 1,600-location goal, expect even more cities to get a taste of that tangy sauce.

Raising Cane's is clearly on a mission to dominate the chicken finger game. Whether you're in Arkansas for the first time or revisiting a revamped location in Kentucky, this May offers plenty of reasons to celebrate. Keep an eye on your city—your next Cane's fix might be closer than you think.