Customers at Raising Cane's first regional location in Lower Macungie Township, a Southern-based chicken restaurant, appear to have no difficulty standing in drive-thrus for up to an hour.
Rainsing Cane recently opened their first Lehigh Valley location at Trexler Business Center, 6240 Hamilton Blvd. A chain spokesman told lehighvalleylive.com Tuesday morning that there were about 250 potential "Caniacs," as the customers are dubbed, waiting in line for the doors to open. A few people had reserved spaces by sleeping at the site overnight on August 5. The spokesman said that "a few ravenous campers... were able to stake their claim as one of the first in the Lehigh Valley to enjoy our new restaurant."
A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Lehigh County Chamber of Commerce, a commemorative hat and a free "box combo card" for the first 100 customers who purchased a box combo (for a future visit), a number of competitions, a DJ spinning music, and appearances by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs mascot FeFe were all part of the grand opening celebration.
Since then, the queues of chicken enthusiasts have not shortened. The parking lot in front of Movie Tavern Trexlertown and the area surrounding the first drive-thru Wawa in the Lehigh Valley, which opened its doors in February, appear to still have double drive-thrus. There are increasingly large crowds inside, and both indoor and outdoor dining tables are full. Orders for carryout and order-ahead have been placed online using the Cane smartphone app by those who wish to avoid the crowds.
Raising Cane's, located in Louisiana, is well-known for its hand-battered chicken that is marinated for a full day before being prepared to order. For each order, "bird specialists" on the crew hand-dip and bread the chicken. According to the website, this indicates the restaurant does not utilize heat lamps.
"Caniacs" have a choice between chicken tenders and sandwiches. Coleslaw, Texas toast, and crinkle-cut fries are among the sides. The menu also features a "Cane's Sauce," a secret dipping sauce that is described as "tangy but with just enough heat to spice things up." The chain's famous iced tea, which is made fresh multiple times a day, is the perfect accompaniment to everything. Other fountain soft drinks are also available.
Raising Cane's has more than 730 locations throughout several states; the locations nearest to the Lehigh Valley are in the Philadelphia and lower Bucks County regions. At 1836 Catasauqua Road, Hanover Township, Lehigh County, the location of the former Friendly's restaurant is set to become a second regional dining establishment. The business is rapidly expanding into New Jersey as well.
Planners approved Jaindl Land Co.'s Trexler Business Center in Lower Macungie in 2016, and Raising Cane's was the last tenant needed. Situated on 17 acres, the shopping mall is located immediately east of the Walmart Supercenter at Mill Creek Road. Raising Cane's and Wawa joined the First Commonwealth Credit Union headquarters, a First Commonwealth Credit Union branch, Movie Tavern Trexlertown, and Bastian Carpet One. The retail center is now fully constructed.
In 1996, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, businessman Todd Graves launched Raising Cane's. Raising Cane I, Graves' yellow Labrador at the time the first restaurant was founded, is the inspiration behind the names of the restaurants. In an attempt to encourage budding business owners, Graves also notes on the chain's website that his idea to offer only chicken fingers got the lowest mark in a college course.
According to Graves, the professor simply did not think it would work. Later, Raising Cane's expanded from a single campus eatery at Louisiana State University's North Gates to become one of the country's largest and fastest-growing restaurant businesses.