Popular US chain with 'best chicken' finally launching in UK
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@raisingcanes
US fried chicken chains are currently dominating the high street, and if you’re a loyal fan, then good news - another popular brand has confirmed it will finally debut in Britain this year.
When it comes to Stateside fast-food, we’re absolutely spoiled for choice with the likes of Popeye’s, Shake Shack, Daves Hot Chicken, and institutions such as Five Guys and Taco Bell, among others.
Set to join the long list of cult favourites in the near future is Jersey Mike’s, which has announced plans to open a whopping 400 restaurants; Chuck E Cheese is set to launch, as is another ‘spectacular’ eatery that can count celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Cynthia Erivo as fans.
Plans for a UK expansion have been in the works for some time, but now it’s become real, as fans have noticed official branding has been put up around what will be the first restaurant in London.
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The latest fried chicken import is Raising Cane’s, and its flagship will be based between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, according to videos and images shared via social media.
If you’ve never heard of Raising Cane’s before, then you’re in for an absolute treat.
Founded by businessmen Todd Graves and Craig Silvey in August 1996, the US icon is famed for its slimline menu which puts chicken fingers in the spotlight.
The signature dish is described as ‘premium, hand-battered chicken breast tenderloins that are marinated for 24 hours, then cooked to order for a crispy exterior and juicy interior’, according to the official website.
Chicken fingers are served alongside classic Southern sides, including Texas Toast, crinkle-cut fries, and coleslaw, which the founder ‘refuses’ to eat.
Post-mix drinks and ‘craveable’ Cane’s sauce, a tangy mayonnaise-based dipping sauce, are also available,
The latter costs around $7 (£5.22) for a big pot in the States, but European prices have not been confirmed.
Despite the billboards going up outside 21-22 Coventry Street in London (the former home of Angus Stakehouse), there’s yet to be an official date for unveiling.
However, soon-to-be fans are expected to be able to get their hands on Raising Cane’s 'late' this year, according to CEO Graves.
There are also plans in the works for further expansion, with sites on The Strand, Oxford Circus, South Bank, and Paddington being eyed up, as well as in other European countries.
“I’m thrilled to finally be opening in the UK late next year,” Graves said in 2025.
“We receive more requests to come to the UK than anywhere else in the world, so I started looking at real estate with the team a few years ago and began identifying top locations to open Raising Cane’s across London and the UK.
“It has always been a dream of mine to bring Cane’s to the UK and I’m excited to officially kick off this growth with the opening of our UK flagship. London is one of my favourite places and I’ve always enjoyed visiting with my family.”
Fans have been discussing Raising Cane’s imminent arrival in London over on Reddit, with one typing: “For what it's worth I had Raising Canes last year and I was actually mad at how good it was, it was about 90% as good as Poor Boys over in Kingston upon Thames but at less than half the price, their Texas Toast was great.”
TikToker @matthewhaywoodx has previously claimed Raising Cane’s offers ‘the best chicken [he’d] ever had’, while another, who goes by the moniker @daisygoord, said her visit was worth full marks, noting that the chicken was ‘so crispy and not greasy’.
Some are seemingly less than impressed with Raising Cane’s imminent opening, with one Redditor arguing: “Feel like we're at saturation point for American chicken imports.”
“London has plenty of fried chicken restaurants and these chains are often overpriced and overrated. Your local'll give you twice the food for half the price,” echoed another.