National Chicken Chain Coming To Simsbury

SIMSBURY, CT — A national chicken chain looking to lay foundational eggs in Connecticut is coming to Simsbury after that town's unanimous zoning board approval this week.

The Simsbury Zoning Commission voted 6-0 Monday to approve a special permit and site plan for a new "Raising Cane's" chicken fast-food restaurant to be built in the Simsbury Commons retail complex.

Currently, no "Raising Cane's" exist in Connecticut, but one was approved to be built in Enfield last October.

"Raising Cane's" is a Baton Rouge, La.,-based chicken chain specializing in deep-fried chicken fingers/sandwiches and a wide array of sauces and side dishes.

Though based in Louisiana, the application information lists a Plano, Texas, address for Raising Cane's. That's where it operates a regional office.

Monday, the town's zoning board had no issues with the application and easily approved the permits via a unanimous voice vote.

The applicant for the restaurant, Hartford-based T.J. Donohue, will build a 3,284-square-foot facility that will feature both indoor and outdoor seating at 530 Bushy Hill Road.

It will be located in Simsbury Commons and be built in the parking lot area near a Men's Warehouse and a Santander Bank.

Only one person spoke at a public hearing Monday, a woman saying she was concerned about impacts to the bank, as she is a frequent customer there.

Otherwise, zoning board members had mostly technical questions regarding the development, which will be in an area zone for business.

As part of the hearing, Jeff Bord, a civil engineer with Bohler Engineering out of West Hartford, gave an in-depth presentation about the project.

Representing Donohue, Bord said the restaurant would have 83 total seats both indoors and outdoors, adding that 81 parking spaces from the existing shopping center would be nearby.

For the official Raising Cane's zoning application and plans, click on this link.

For the Town of Simsbury staff report on the Raising Cane's application, click on this link.

For more information on Raising Cane's, click on this link.

From Oct. 26, 2022: 'Raising Cane's To Open 1st CT Location In Enfield: Reports'