The word that “caniacs” have been waiting for is finally here. Today, Raising Cane’s announced that its new restaurant in Sterling will open next Tuesday, December 13.
Officials from the company will join local leaders for a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the new restaurant in the Dulles Eastern Plaza off Atlantic Boulevard.
The so-called caniacs — uber-serious fans of the brand — may want to queue up early, as the first 100 people in line will get a free Raising Cane’s tee and a voucher for a free meal.
Raising Cane’s — famous for its chicken fingers, chicken sandwiches and other menu items — got its start in Baton Rouge, Louisiana back in 1996 and today, has nearly 700 locations in 35 states. But the Sterling store is the first one for the brand in the DC suburbs.
“We’re excited to be adding Sterling and the DC area as a whole to the Raising Cane’s family,” said Area Leader of Restaurants William Scholzen, in a statement. “We are passionate about making great food, serving others and being an active part of the Community. There’s a reason why people love our food, our brand and everything that Cane’s is about and we’re eager to show the DMV why!”
It’s been a long wait for local Raising Cane’s fans. The Burn first broke the news about the Sterling location back in September 2020.
When the Sterling restaurant opens Tuesday, it will mark the first of what is expected to be multiple locations around the region.
One of the company’s top executives — AJ Kumaran — used to live in the Broadlands in Ashburn. Last year, he told the Washington Business Journal that he anticipates up to 50 or more locations in the region, including places like Ashburn and Leesburg.
Other area locations in the works for Raising Cane’s includes one at Union Station in DC, and one on the site of a former Applebee’s in Manassas.
(Image at top: Raising Cane’s)