Hundreds of Queens residents lined up outside 39-20 Main St. in Flushing Tuesday, July 9, to get a bite to eat from the first Queens location of the popular chicken finger restaurant chain Raising Cane’s during its grand opening.
Despite the 90-degree heat, these people overcame the elements and lined the street to be among the first customers of this restaurant. A line stretched across the block before the restaurant’s 9 a.m. opening. Inside the restaurant, disco balls glimmered light and pop music blared through the air to celebrate the opening.
In addition to offering their famous chicken fingers, Texas toast, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and Cane’s Sauce, Raising Cane’s offered a multitude of community activities throughout the day.
“There’s a little over 2.7 million residents who live in Queens, and this is the third busiest business center corner, aside from Times Square and Herald Square,” Raising Cane’s Representative Kameron Robertson said. “To be able to kind of get the best of both worlds by being a part of the local business community that lives within Flushing and Queens.”
The first 100 customers received lanyards with a box combo card attached to it—which is redeemable for a free box combo meal on their next visit—along with a free Cane’s baseball hat. Customers also had the chance to enter a “Lucky 20” raffle prior to the opening, where 20 people were selected to win free Cane’s for a year.
After the first 100 customers made their way through the doors, the restaurant flooded with people eager to get a taste of the new chicken joint. Locals walked in after being handed menus by employees promoting the opening as they walked past Main Street.
Representatives from the NYPD’s 109th Precinct, the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Flushing Chinese Business Association joined Raising Cane’s representatives to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of this new community staple. Additionally, Raising Cane’s presented checks to the New York Hall of Science and the Glow Cultural Center as a way of showing appreciation to the community.
There was a performance of a traditional Chinese Lion Dance during the grand opening. This was meant to bring good luck and positive energy to the new location. Additionally, musical entertainment was provided throughout the day by EDM DJ and violinist Yut Chia.
Access to this Raising Cane’s is convenient for many commuters. It is located close to the 7 train Flushing Main Street Station and the Long Island Rail Road. Additionally, multiple Q bus lines from the MTA have drop-off locations nearby. It is also located near cultural landmarks like Citi Field, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park, as well as retail landmarks like the Skyview, Tangram, and New World Malls.
Kids and adults who entered the restaurant sat down in booths and stool tops on the ground floor and second level. The walls are covered with decor that caters to the new Flushing location, including framed pictures of Mr. Met, Citi Field and maps of Flushing and the U.S. Open.
This location will be open every day from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m. In addition to dine-in and carry-out, customers can use Raising Cane’s mobile app to place their orders ahead of time.
Cane’s has stuck to its brand of “One Love” when branching off to Main Street in Flushing, building off of the character of the local community.
“You’ll see us at the local football games, PTA organizational, schools, local dog parks, things of that nature,” said Robertson. “We’d like to really be involved. So no matter what department you’re in, if you’re a brand new group member or a manager or CEO, our one love is our chicken finger meals,” said Robertson.
Founded in 1996 by Todd Graves and Craig Silvey in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Raising Cane’s has become one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the United States. There are now 800 locations across 40 states, and up to 100 more locations are expected to open before the end of the year.
