El Centro welcomes Raising Cane’s with open arms and long lines
Lynette Niebla
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The wait is finally over for “Caniacs” across the Imperial Valley as Raising Cane’s officially opened its doors Tuesday.
The grand opening drew in massive crowd of hundreds of eager fans, with some even camping out overnight in lawn chairs and blankets to be the first in line.
By the time the doors officially swung open, a massive crowd of fans stretched across the storefront while cars wrapped entirely around the building, creating a double-loop of excitement for both the lobby and the drive-thru.
Located at 2299 N. Imperial Avenue, just north of Interstate 8, the new restaurant kicked off its grand opening with a vibrant celebration.
The festivities began early Tuesday morning with a “Lucky 20” raffle, awarding 20 lucky customers free Raising Cane’s for a year.
The event featured a strong local presence, including performances by the Central Union High School Cheerleaders and an appearance by the Drifters Car Club.
A live DJ provided the soundtrack for the morning, followed by a special midday appearance by local radio personality Rudy “El Rudo” and a performance by Mariachi Acero Del Valle.
Inside, the restaurant pays homage to El Centro’s heritage with custom décor featuring local landmarks like the Algodones Dunes and tributes to hometown icons and sports teams.
The new location offers extended hours for late-night cravings:
Sunday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Raising Cane’s is known for a focused menu of hand-battered chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, texas toast, and their signature Cane’s Sauce, which was recently named the most craveable sauce in the industry.