Raising Cane’s Is Finally in Atlanta… Almost

Raising Cane’s has been spreading across metro Atlanta, with locations outside the Perimeter in places like Snellville, Dacula, Duluth and McDonough. But the city itself hasn’t had one yet. That’s changing: the first Raising Cane’s inside Atlanta city limits is planned for 626 14th Street NW in Midtown, where a Krystal used to be.

The chain was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, near the LSU campus, by University of Georgia graduate Todd Graves. The menu is simple on purpose: chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw and the famous Cane’s Sauce. It’s grown to more than 900 restaurants in 40 states, and its restaurants usually rank second only to Chick-fil-A in average sales per location.

More metro locations are on the way in Cumming, Conyers and Kennesaw. Are you a Caniac, or is Atlanta staying loyal to Chick-fil-A?

Can Cane’s Win Over Atlanta?

Atlanta is serious about chicken. This is the home of Chick-fil-A, lemon pepper wings and more fried chicken spots than anybody can count. So any chain coming into the city has to bring it.

Cane’s fans swear by the simple menu and that famous sauce, and a Midtown location puts it right where students, workers and nightlife crowds are. The real test will be whether Atlanta folks keep coming back once the opening-week buzz wears off.

Are you Team Cane’s, Team Chick-fil-A or sticking with your local wing spot? Let me know in the comments.