Raising Cane's Plans Major California Expansion, Targeting Affluent Suburbs
The fast-food chain aims to open over 40 new locations in California in the coming years, including several in the North Bay.
Raising Cane's, the rapidly growing fried chicken chain, is set to significantly expand its presence in California with plans for upwards of 40 new restaurants over the next few years. This expansion includes targeting affluent suburban areas, a strategic move following the recent opening of its 1,000th restaurant in Hollywood.
The chain confirmed to the North Bay Business Journal that three new restaurants are slated to open in the North Bay region this year. One of these locations will occupy the former site of Amy's Drive Thru in Rohnert Park, a middle-class community in Sonoma County. Raising Cane's signed the lease for the 4,098-square-foot space in March, shortly after Amy's Drive Thru closed its doors after a decade in operation. While an exact opening date for the Rohnert Park location has not been set, Sonoma Magazine reports a September 2027 target.
Another new restaurant is planned for Napa, a more affluent town, where Raising Cane's is seeking a permit to take over a former KFC location. This 2,676-square-foot site is situated within the South Napa Market Place shopping center, though its opening timeline remains undetermined.
The third North Bay location will be in Vallejo, within the Fairview at Northgate development, a 51.3-acre project that will also feature a new Costco. While there is no specific opening date for the Vallejo Raising Cane's, the adjacent Costco is scheduled to open in the fall.
This aggressive expansion into California is part of a broader growth strategy that has seen Raising Cane's achieve significant market gains. In 2025, the chain's sales reached $5.49 billion, surpassing both Wingstop and KFC, positioning it as the third-largest fried chicken chain by sales, behind Popeyes and Chick-Fil-A.
Founded nearly 30 years ago on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge, Raising Cane's has built its brand primarily on a simple menu focused on chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, and coleslaw. The company's consistent growth and expansion underscore its successful business model in the competitive fast-food industry.
