Image | Courtesy of Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals, rendering by AGI
Raising Cane's plan for Worcester involve building a 3,447-square-foot restaurant at the former Denny's on Lincoln Street.
3 hours ago
Raising Cane’s planning first Worcester location
Photo | Courtesy of Raising Cane's
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, a fast causal chain founded in Lousiana, is seeking further expansion in Central Massachusetts.
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has fired the latest salvo in the battle between a number of fast-casual chicken chains seeking a larger presence in Central Massachusetts, as the company is seeking to open a location at a former Denny’s diner location on Worcester’s Lincoln Street.
The Louisiana-headquartered company, which opened a Marlborough location in May 2023 and is planning to open a Framingham location this winter, is seeking to open at 494 Lincoln St. in Worcester, according to an application filed to the Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals prior to its Monday meeting.
The company is seeking to construct a new 3,447-square-foot restaurant featuring two drive-thru lanes and 40 parking spots.
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The property at 494 Lincoln St. is owned by NNN REIT, a Florida-based real estate firm, which purchased it in 2006 from Denny’s for $820,648, according to Worcester District Registry of Deeds records.
Founded in 1996 in Louisiana, Raising Cane’s specializes in chicken fingers and is known for its crinkle-cut fries and Texas toast. Starting with a single location outside the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge, the chain has since expanded to more than 700 eateries and 50,000+ employees.
In addition to Raising Cane’s plans for Framingham and Worcester, other chicken-focused restaurants have opened or plan to open Central Massachusetts locations. Dave’s Hot Chicken opened a Worcester location in Worcester’s Trolley Yard Plaza in October following the opening of Cluck & Crispy Chicken on Front Street earlier that month. Chick-fil-A is planning a second Worcester location for Stafford Street, while a prospective Popeye’s location on Lincoln Street first announced in December 2022 has yet to move forward.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
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