Raising Cane’s is a fast-casual/quick-service restaurant chain known for a deliberately focused menu centered on chicken fingers. Founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the company has expanded rapidly in recent years through aggressive unit growth.
Quick takeaways
- Unit growth: Raising Cane’s says it opened 118 new restaurants in 2024. (RaisingCanes.com)
- Location count benchmark: Nation’s Restaurant News reported the chain ended 2024 with 828 locations (Technomic Top 500 reporting). (Nation’s Restaurant News)
- Sales benchmark: Inc. reported Raising Cane’s generated about $5.1 billion in total annual sales (2024). (Inc.)
- Crew size benchmark: Inc. also reported roughly 65,000 crew members (2024). (Inc.)
On this page:
Raising Cane’s key stats (2026)
| Metric | Figure | Year / context | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants opened | 118 | 2024 openings (company statement) | RaisingCanes.com |
| Total locations | 828 | End of 2024 (Technomic Top 500 reporting) | Nation’s Restaurant News |
| Total annual sales | $5.1 billion | Reported for 2024 | Inc. |
| Average sales per store | $6.6 million | Reported for 2024 | Forbes |
| Employees (“crew”) | ~65,000 | Reported for 2024 | Inc. |
Note on location counts: Different outlets may cite different totals depending on scope and data source (e.g., Technomic Top 500 location reporting vs. broader “operated roughly” figures in business profiles). This page reports each number with its original source and context. (NRN; Inc.)
Company overview
Raising Cane’s is best known for a simplified menu built around chicken finger meals and a small set of core sides (such as fries, toast, and coleslaw). That narrow focus—paired with rapid unit growth—has helped the chain scale quickly in the U.S.
Growth highlights
- Record unit expansion: The company’s own reporting describes 118 restaurant openings in 2024. (RaisingCanes.com)
- Location count benchmark: Industry reporting placed the chain at 828 locations at the end of 2024 (Technomic Top 500 reporting). (Nation’s Restaurant News)
- Sales performance: Forbes reported average sales per store climbed to $6.6 million in 2024. (Forbes)
FAQ
When was Raising Cane’s founded?
Raising Cane’s was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Inc.)
How many Raising Cane’s locations are there?
Nation’s Restaurant News reported Raising Cane’s ended 2024 with 828 locations (Technomic Top 500 reporting). (Nation’s Restaurant News)
How much in annual sales does Raising Cane’s generate?
Inc. reported Raising Cane’s generated about $5.1 billion in total annual sales for 2024. (Inc.)
Methodology
- Priority sources: Corporate announcements (RaisingCanes.com) for openings; industry reporting (NRN/Technomic) for location counts; major business outlets (Inc., Forbes) for sales and unit economics.
- No forecasts: Forward-looking statements and projections were excluded to keep the page strictly fact-based.
- Context preserved: When sources use different scopes or definitions (e.g., “locations” vs. “operated roughly”), this page reports each figure with its original framing.