Raising Cane’s will open and reopen restaurants across seven states this May, including its first Arkansas location and a Queens drive-thru.
Raising Cane’s isn’t slowing down, and this May’s rollout could put a new drive-thru chicken stop within reach for diners across multiple states.
The Louisiana-based chicken finger chain says it will open new restaurants across seven states between May 12 and May 27, adding fresh locations in California, New York, North Carolina, Maryland, Florida, and Ohio. It will also mark a first for Arkansas, bringing the brand to the Jonesboro area.
Meanwhile. two previously existing restaurants are set to reopen after renovations. with Oklahoma City restarting operations on May 4 and Lexington. Kentucky. returning on May 18.. The company framed the investment as a way to ensure the in-store experience stays consistent. emphasizing improvements designed to meet customer expectations.
That matters for consumers, because renovations and format upgrades often signal how a chain plans to serve customers more efficiently and consistently, not just where it wants to sell.
Among the most notable developments is a new drive-thru planned for Queens, New York.. Raising Cane’s says this location will open on May 13 and will follow the launch of a Brooklyn drive-thru earlier this year. which includes both a drive-thru setup and a walk-up window. alongside a covered. heated patio.
In this context. the expansion also reflects the broader push by restaurant brands to grow through a mix of new builds and refreshed sites.. Raising Cane’s has been adding restaurants at a fast pace. including opening more than a dozen locations earlier this year and reaching a milestone with its 1. 000th restaurant last month.
For cities on the schedule, the openings are a direct signal of where demand is being targeted and how quickly the chain intends to scale. For the market overall, it’s another reminder that quick-service dining continues to treat location strategy as a competitive advantage.
Here are the listed Raising Cane’s openings and reopenings for this month:
Oklahoma — 14100 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City (reopening May 4)
Arkansas — 2511 E. Highland Drive, Jonesboro (opening May 12)
California — 2299 N. Imperial Ave., El Centro (opening May 12)
New York — 230-05 Merrick Blvd., Laurelton (opening May 13)
Kentucky — 2201 W. Admiral Way, Lexington (reopening May 18)
North Carolina — 4423 W. Wendover Ave. (opening May 22)
Maryland — 10231 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills (opening May 27)
Florida — 3433 SW Archer Road, Gainesville (opening May 27)
Ohio — 3921 Medina Road, Akron (opening May 27)
As the chain moves through its May schedule, diners may start seeing more of the brand’s newer format choices, including greater emphasis on drive-thru convenience—an approach that can reshape foot traffic patterns in local commercial corridors.