Texarkana, Texas (Nov. 18, 2014) | Chicken finger lovers in Texarkana passing by the newly constructed Raising Cane’s restaurant on the north side of town can practically taste the premium tenderloins, crinkle-cut fries, Texas Toast, sweet tea and secret recipe Cane’s sauce already.
Fortunately, they won’t have to let their imaginations wander much longer, as Cane’s is set to open the city’s first restaurant at 10 a.m. this Thursday, Nov. 20.
Cane’s newest restaurant, located at 2505 Richmond Road, just a mile north of I-30, marks its 67th in Texas and the 208th overall across 18 states.
Grand opening festivities kick off at 9:30 a.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony compliments of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce and other local dignitaries. Doors open at 10 a.m.
Visitors to the ceremonies are in for a treat, as 50-60 newly hired crewmembers will perform their traditional cheers and other high-energy chants to launch the new location in unique Cane’s fashion. The first 100 paying, dine-in customers will receive a commemorative Texarkana Cane’s T-shirt, along with a voucher for a free Box Combo that may be redeemed on a subsequent visit.
With the Louisiana-based chain’s ONE LOVE® – quality chicken finger meals – going gangbusters in cities like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Lubbock and El Paso – which will also welcome its first Cane’s this Thursday – local residents are anxious to find out what all the fuss is about, said General Manager Lindsey Hibbard.
“I’m just as eager to open our doors as the rest of Texarkana. Having moved here from Marshall not too long ago, I spent my first year of training at Raising Cane’s restaurants in Longview and Louisiana, so I’m proud to say that this is my first Cane’s as well,” Hibbard said. “Local Caniacs have been ecstatic about this opening for the past several months. I know they’ll be lined up outside on opening day, and I can’t wait to introduce a whole new group of Caniacs to our ONE LOVE!”
Raising Cane’s mission extends beyond the kitchen and into the community with each grand opening, and the new Texarkana location is certainly no exception. Last week, Hibbard and her fellow crewmembers rolled up their sleeves at nearby Runnin’ WJ Ranch to help clean and organize the nonprofit group’s facilities, which provide therapeutic equine services to disabled children in the area.
For Hibbard, the project was the perfect way to introduce the Raising Cane’s brand to the neighborhood.
“Active support of our local communities is a huge part of Raising Cane’s DNA, so you’ll be seeing a lot more involvement like this from us in Texarkana’s schools and other nonprofit organizations over the coming months and years,” Hibbard said. “We look forward to keeping the momentum going as our community-focused culture takes root throughout this vibrant city.”
Cane’s restaurants nationwide are also marking the holiday season in style by partnering with the iconic Warner Bros. classic, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Cute and cuddly collectible plush puppies in the likeness of Clark Griswold and Cousin Eddie can be purchased at any Raising Cane’s location for $8.99 each, with net proceeds being donated to local pet welfare organizations.
Founded by Todd Graves in 1996 and named for his yellow Labrador, Raising Cane, the rapidly growing concept was ranked among the top three quick service restaurant chains in the nation for 2013, according to the authoritative Sandelman & Associates Quick-Track study, based on food quality, customer service, cleanliness and other important factors.
Hours of operation for the Texarkana restaurant will be Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight.
ABOUT RAISING CANE’S®
Founded by Todd Graves in 1996 in Baton Rouge, La., RAISING CANE’S CHICKEN FINGERS has more than 200 restaurants in 18 states with multiple new restaurants under construction. The company has ONE LOVE®—quality chicken finger meals—and is continually recognized for its unique business model and customer satisfaction. Raising Cane’s vision is to have restaurants all over the world and be the brand for quality chicken finger meals, a great crew, cool culture and active community involvement.
More information is available at raisingcanes.com.
