Todd Graves was told his business plan sucked. Literally. A college professor gave him a C-minus on the assignment, and every banker he approached in Baton Rouge basically laughed him out of the lobby. Who builds a restaurant that only serves one thing? Chicken fingers. That’s it. No burgers, no tacos, no salads. Just fingers, fries, toast, and a sauce that people now treat like liquid gold.
But look at the map today. Honestly, the Raising Cane’s expansion is becoming one of the most aggressive takeovers in fast-food history. We’re talking about a brand that went from 400 locations in 2018 to over 950 by the end of 2025. It’s not just a southern thing anymore. It’s a "everywhere" thing.
The 1,600-Store Obsession
The goal isn’t a secret. Graves has been shouting it from the rooftops: 1,600 restaurants. They want to be a top 10 U.S. restaurant brand by the end of the decade. They are currently sitting at number 18, having just leapfrogged KFC in total sales.
Think about that. A chain with a menu you can read in three seconds just beat the Colonel.
In 2024, they opened 118 new spots. In 2025, they added nearly 100 more. Now, as we move through 2026, the pace isn't slowing down. They’ve already locked in 11 new openings for January alone, hitting markets like San Francisco's Fisherman’s Wharf and areas near SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. They aren't just opening in suburbs anymore; they’re going for high-traffic, "ego" locations that scream for attention.
Why the Expansion Strategy is Actually Genius
Most chains expand via franchising. It’s easy money. You let someone else take the risk, pay for the building, and send you a check every month. Cane's? They don't really do that in the U.S. almost all domestic locations are company-owned.
- Total Quality Control: Because they own the stores, the toast is always buttery, and the sauce never tastes "off."
- The University Hook: If you've noticed a Cane's near every major college campus, that’s intentional. They recently opened near Columbia University in NYC and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They hook students when they’re 18, and those kids become "Caniacs" for life.
- Massive Sales per Store: The average Raising Cane's does about $6.5 million in sales per year. For context, that’s double or triple what many other fast-food competitors bring in.
The Weird New Locations
You’ve probably seen the Post Malone-themed restaurant in Utah by now. It’s pink, it’s loud, and it has a classic car tucked into the wall. This is a huge part of the 2026 vibe. It’s about making the restaurant an "event" rather than just a place to grab a box combo.
Just this past December, they opened their first-ever theme park location at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood. They’re also pushing into "non-traditional" spots like transit hubs and tourist traps. They want to be where the people are, even if those people are on vacation.
What's Happening in 2026?
The growth is hitting 11 states hard right now. If you live in Florida, California, or New Jersey, you're basically guaranteed to see a new "Cane" popping up in your backyard.
- California Dominance: Despite being a Texas-based company (Plano, specifically), California is now their second-biggest market with over 100 locations.
- The $10 Billion Goal: Revenue is expected to hit $6 billion this year, with the $10 billion milestone firmly in their sights.
- Global Creep: While the U.S. is the focus, they are slowly seeding international markets like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
Is the Market Getting Too Crowded?
The "Chicken Wars" are real. You’ve got Chick-fil-A (the final boss), Popeyes, and now newcomers like Dave’s Hot Chicken all fighting for the same stomach. Some analysts, like those at S&P Global, have pointed out that while revenue is up, "same-store sales" might flatten out in 2026 because there’s simply so much competition.
But Cane's has a cult. People don't just go there for food; they go for the culture. The crew members (they have 150,000 of them now) are trained to be high-energy. The music is always loud. It feels like a party, even at 10:30 PM on a Tuesday.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you're a fan or just a business observer, here’s what to keep an eye on:
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- Check the App: With this many new stores, their mobile ordering and rewards program is becoming the primary way they manage the massive drive-thru lines.
- Real Estate Watch: If a new development is going up in your town near a college or a major highway, there's a high probability Cane's has already looked at the site.
- Employment Opportunities: They are pushing heavily for internal promotions—aiming for 16,000 of them—making it a surprisingly stable place for food service careers compared to high-turnover competitors.
Raising Cane's isn't just a chicken joint anymore. It's a massive corporate machine that proved a C-minus business plan can actually conquer the world if you just focus on doing one thing better than everyone else.