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Fast-casual chicken is having a moment.
Nearly seven years after the chicken sandwich wars set the internet ablaze, a new poultry-fueled discourse has entered the chat—this time, right here in Raleigh.
Over the past six months, not one, but three fast-casual chicken finger chains have landed around town, with Dave’s Hot Chicken, Guthrie’s and Raising Cane’s opening local outposts—joining an already crowded field that includes KFC, Popeyes, Chick-fil-A and Bojangles. And the flock isn’t done growing yet: Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings is also staging a “coop.”
Raleigh’s craving for chicken is nothing new. Long before LA-based Raising Cane’s opened its first City of Oaks hutch, locals were already swarming to Chapel Hill for the brand’s cult-fave chicken fingers and famous Cane’s Sauce—a meal propelled to viral status by celebs and influencers alike.
So when the Raleigh spot was teased—and then delayed—anticipation grew to a fever pitch. When doors finally opened in February, lines stretched around the block, with some die-hards even camping out overnight to be among the first inside.
“We’re always looking for vibrant communities where we can make a meaningful impact, and the Raleigh community fits that description,” says Raising Cane’s Area Leader of Restaurants Bobbi Frye. “People here value quality, community and great food—and we really believe Raising Cane’s continues to make a fantastic addition.”
For Regency Centers, which owns and operates Midtown East, Dave’s Hot Chicken was an easy swap for the former BB’s Crispy Chicken. “Their energy, brand recognition and loyal following make them a perfect fit,” says Regency Centers Senior Vice President and Senior Market Officer Nate Smith.
Beyond satisfying what was once an out-of-reach itch, the influx of fast-casual chicken chains signals something bigger: Big-name national brands see Raleigh as worth betting on. Alabama-based Guthrie’s Wake Forest Road poultry run is the first in North Carolina, while Raising Cane’s Hillsborough Street spot across from NC State marks its third in the state.
“We knew it was the right time and Raleigh was the right fit,” emphasizes Frye, teasing more locales across the state. Judging by the crowds—and the cult-level enthusiasm—Raleigh clearly agrees. The chicken hype is real.
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