Raising Cane's Set To Open New Wethersfield Restaurant This Month

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Raising Cane's, a popular fast food chicken chain that has been rapidly expanding across the Northeast, is set to open its newest Connecticut restaurant later this month.

The chain plans to celebrate the new restaurant's grand opening with a variety of activities and giveaways for the community.

Raising Cane's Coming To Wethersfield

Located off Interstate 91, the new Raising Cane's restaurant is set to open June 24 at 1298 Silas Dean Highway in Wethersfield at 10 a.m., according to a news release provided by the company.

The new restaurant features a double-lane drive-thru designed to serve the chain's popular chicken finger meals with lightning-fast speed.

The Wethersfield restaurant also offers a spacious outdoor dining patio, perfect for soaking up the summer sun, according to the company.

Inside, the new location features "a lively homage to the Wethersfield community" with treasured local high school and college memorabilia displayed throughout the spacious dining area.

According to Raising Cane's, these displays pay tribute to Wethersfield High School alum Betsey Johnson and other notable alumni, as well as other "hometown details that make every visit a genuine celebration of local pride."

To celebrate the grand opening, the company will host a number of activities and giveaways starting at 8 a.m., including a "Lucky 20" drawing to award 20 customers ages 13 and older "free Cane's for a year."

Entries are accepted from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., with the drawing held shortly after. Customers must be present to win, according to the company.

Additionally, the first 100 customers to purchase a combo will receive a commemorative hat and a free box combo card valid on a future visit. Limit one hat and card per combo purchased, available while supplies last, according to the company.

Raising Cane's will also hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning around 9 a.m. featuring Mayor Ken Lesser, as well as the Wethersfield Chamber of Commerce and the Wethersfield Economic Development Council, with music by DJ Rachel Lynch.

A check presentation to the Keane Foundation, a local nonprofit established to honor the lives of Richard Keane and other victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, will also take place, according to the company.

"Raising Cane's is the talk of the town," Restaurant Leader Eric Brown said in a news release. "As a proud member of this community, I am most excited about bringing our 'ONE LOVE' to Wethersfield for the first time. We can't wait to serve our craveable chicken finger meals, share our vibrant culture and make an impact by giving back to this community I'm proud to call home!"

The Wethersfield location is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight with extended hours Friday and Saturday from 10 to 1 a.m., according to Raising Cane's.

Raising Cane's In Connecticut

The new Raising Cane's location, once the site of a Denny's restaurant, is so hotly anticipated that police recently issued a warning of expected traffic meltdowns due to the opening.

"During the initial opening, there will be traffic backed up northbound on Silas Deane Highway between Executive Square and Town Line Road, which could last approximately two weeks," Wethersfield police wrote in May.

The Wethersfield restaurant follows recent Raising Cane's openings in Simsbury and Enfield, the latter of which was the chain's first location in Connecticut.

In November, a Planning and Zoning Board approved a special exception to allow Raising Cane's to build a 3,400-square-foot restaurant at 1455 Boston Post Road in Milford.

A Raising Cane's representative told Patch in May the restaurant chain has opened more than 20 new locations so far this year in communities across the U.S. and plans to open nearly 100 new restaurants across several new markets in states such as California, Washington, Florida, Maryland, Delaware and more by the end of 2025.

"At Raising Cane's, we are always looking for opportunities to bring our delicious chicken finger meals to new communities," a representative said to Patch in May.

The representative also confirmed the company has found the Northeast to be a good fit for its brand.

"We're always exploring opportunities to grow in communities that align with our brand and where we can best serve our customers," the representative said, "and the Northeast has proven to be a dynamic and diverse community who appreciate the quality and convenience of our craveable chicken finger meals."

Raising Cane's specializes in "hand batter premium chicken that's marinated for 24 hours," according to its website. The restaurant only serves its famous chicken fingers, as well as sides like crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw and Texas toast.