Tuscaloosa’s First Standalone Raising Cane’s Coming to McFarland Boulevard

America's third most popular chicken chain is finally getting a standalone location in Tuscaloosa, according to new signage over one of the busiest intersections in town.

For those who don't keep up with trends in the quick-service restaurant industry, we're referring to Raising Cane's, the Louisiana-based fried chicken juggernaut that has expanded to over 900 stores since its founding in 1996.

According to reporting from CNBC, Cane's has nearly doubled its number of locations since 2020, and earlier this year, it surpassed KFC in annual U.S. sales.

That makes it a Top 20 revenue generator among U.S. restaurants and only behind Chick-fil-A and Popeyes when you narrow the pool to chicken-focused choices.

Get our free mobile app

A new sign from Birmingham-based Capital Growth Buchalter suggests the red-hot brand will come soon to a redeveloped corner of McFarland Boulevard and 13th Street in Tuscaloosa.

It wouldn't be quite right to call it the city's first - Cane's has been a popular option for University of Alabama students and staff at a spot on campus in Paty Hall for more than 10 years - but the McFarland location would be the first standalone location in the city.

The space currently houses the Made in Mexico restaurant, as well as military recruiting centers and the closed Wing Zone. However, a QR Code on the new sign leads to a site suggesting that those could come down to make way for Raising Cane's and one or two other concepts filling out the rest of the acre or so of available property there.

CGB reports that approximately 50,000 vehicles pass by the location daily on McFarland Boulevard.

The potential development comes as Cane's continues to surge in popularity - they reported opening more than 100 new locations in 2024 alone, although few have come to Alabama yet. Just a few weeks ago, the Crimson Tide's star quarterback Ty Simpson revealed he's become a brand ambassador for the chicken chain.

No one at Capital Growth Buchalter could be reached for comment this week after the new signage went up in Tuscaloosa.

This report is the result of a much-appreciated tip or request from a Tuscaloosa Thread reader, which are always welcome at this page, via our free mobile app or submitted directly to stephen.dethrage@townsquaremedia.com.

For more exclusive coverage of restaurant and retail development in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.