Raising Cane’s chicken fingers is opening five new restaurants in July 2026, expanding into three new U.S. markets as the Louisiana-based chain continues its rapid growth trajectory. The company told USA TODAY that alongside the new locations, three existing restaurants will reopen after remodeling, bringing fresh energy to the chain’s footprint across the South and beyond.
The five brand-new restaurants will debut in Schererville, Indiana; Johnson City, Tennessee; Jacksonville, North Carolina; Albany, Georgia; and Los Angeles, California. Opening dates range from July 6 through July 21, with the Los Angeles location’s date to be announced.
The three new markets—Johnson City, Jacksonville, and Albany—mark significant expansion milestones for Raising Cane’s. “We’re excited to celebrate these milestones with our newest communities in Johnson City, Jacksonville and Albany,” the company said in a June 29 statement to USA TODAY. The company also emphasized that each opening and remodel creates jobs and strengthens local partnerships.
Three remodeled locations will reopen during July as well: Edmond, Oklahoma (July 13); Fort Collins, Colorado (July 17); and Las Vegas, Nevada (July 20). Beyond these physical changes, Raising Cane’s is also adjusting hours at established restaurants in major markets including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Orlando, New Orleans, Nashville, Phoenix, and Las Vegas to better serve customers in areas where late-night dining is more popular.
Part of a Sustained Expansion
July’s openings continue a growth pattern that has accelerated over the past two years. Raising Cane’s opened 100 new locations in 2025 and is planning to open approximately 100 more in 2026, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. This pace positions the chain to approach 1,000 total restaurants by year’s end, a milestone that underscores the company’s ambition to become a dominant national player in the quick-service chicken segment.
The chain’s expansion strategy focuses on company-operated restaurants rather than franchising, which allows Raising Cane’s to maintain operational control and quality standards. This approach, combined with a simplified menu focused exclusively on chicken fingers, has helped the brand leapfrog established competitors—Raising Cane’s is now the third-largest chicken chain in the U.S. by sales, trailing only Chick-fil-A and Popeyes, according to CNBC reporting from June 2025.
Beyond the U.S., Raising Cane’s has also announced plans to enter Mexico in the second half of 2026 after signing a development agreement with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V., signaling that the company’s growth ambitions extend well beyond domestic borders.
Sources
- USA TODAY — Confirmed five new restaurant openings and three remodeled locations in July 2026, with specific addresses and dates; reported company statement on new markets.
- Patch — Reported that Raising Cane’s opened 100 new locations in 2025 and maintained expansion pace in 2026.
- Nation’s Restaurant News — Stated that Raising Cane’s is planning to open approximately 100 new restaurants in 2026, similar to 2025 pace, and is approaching its 1,000th location.
- CNBC — Reported that Raising Cane’s is now the third-largest chicken chain in the U.S. by sales, behind Chick-fil-A and Popeyes.
