An iconic US fast food chain is finally making its way to the UK after a 30-year wait. Raising Cane's has officially confirmed plans to open its highly anticipated flagship British restaurant in late 2026. The Louisiana-born chicken finger chain announced its expansion following overwhelming demand from UK fans online. Branded hoardings have already gone up at the launch site, signalling that construction is well and truly under way.
Location and Expansion Plans
The UK branch is set to be located at 21–22 Coventry Street, London, in the heart of the Piccadilly Circus/Leicester Square area, taking over the former Angus Steakhouse site. The Piccadilly Circus opening is merely the beginning of a broader European rollout. The company has confirmed plans to launch several further locations shortly after the flagship opening, including Oxford Circus, The Strand, Paddington, and South Bank. The chain is also actively scouting for drive-thru sites across Greater London and its surrounding suburbs.
Menu and Signature Items
Unlike many fast-food rivals that boast sprawling menus, Raising Cane's prides itself on a straightforward, high-quality offering. Customers can look forward to their signature "Craveable Chicken Finger Meals", featuring Chicken Fingers – the brand's premium chicken tenders marinated for 24+ hours and hand-breaded – alongside Cane's Sauce, the legendary house-made secret sauce that has taken TikTok by storm. Also set to feature on the menu is its Texas Toast, which is thick, buttery garlic bread griddled to order, alongside sides such as crispy crinkle-cut fries and fresh coleslaw.
Fan Excitement and Competition
The announcement has sent fans of the brand into a frenzy online, with well-known foodie account New Foods UK sharing a post about it this week. The account, which boasts 370,000 followers, wrote: "Finally! Raising Canes is coming to the UK this year! We are so pleased this has been announced as we absolutely love it there!" The post garnered thousands of likes as many followers admitted they too were thrilled about its upcoming arrival. One person simply exclaimed: "Oh my God," while another added: "Don't need to trek to New York now."
Raising Cane's is stepping into a fiercely competitive UK market, joining a significant wave of American fried chicken brands boldly expanding across the Atlantic, including Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, and Dave's Hot Chicken. The brand is also poised to go head-to-head with KFC, which currently holds the title of the UK's most well-known chicken fast food chain.
History of Raising Cane's
Raising Cane's has been around for nearly 30 years, with it first opening its doors back on August 28, 1996. Founder Todd Graves opened the very first restaurant, affectionately known as "The Mothership," near the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The fast food chain was named after Graves' beloved yellow Labrador Retriever, "Raising Cane".
