Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

9 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

11 hours ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

12 hours ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

12 hours ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

12 hours ago

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

14 hours ago

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

1 day ago

State Department Approves $30 Million for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

1 day ago

Cargo Ship That Caught Fire Carrying Electric Vehicles Sinks in the Pacific

2 days ago

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

2 days ago
The Valley Loves Raising Cane's Recipe of Fresh Fried Chicken Sprinkled With Fun
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 years ago on
March 11, 2022

Share

 

On its opening day, the staff at Raising Cane’s are whooping and hollering. It is part of the work culture at Fresno’s latest quick-serve chicken location.

DAVID TAUB

The national chicken chain has rapidly expanded in the Valley. Tuesday’s opening in north Fresno (7507 N. Blackstone Ave. at the southwest corner of El Paso Avenue) is the fifth since last July. Other locations include Tulare, Visalia, Hanford, and Clovis.

Chris Zygler, Raising Cane’s regional leader, said the openings are by popular demand.

People are familiar because they’ve gone down to Los Angeles or maybe gotten Raising Cane’s out in Vegas. So people really wanted us to bring it to the Valley, and we did,” Zygler said. “Once we identify there’s Caniacs — there’s also almost 750,000 people between Fresno and Clovis — there’s plenty of population and support for Raising Cane’s.”

Watch: The Secrets to Raising Cane’s Success

The new restaurant is at a location formerly occupied by a Logan’s Roadhouse. Zygler says they tore down the building and built a new one at a cost of $8 million. It includes a double-lane drive-thru and a double kitchen — to serve both in-store and the drive-thru.

The Fresno location employs 200 people and 14 managers. The closing time is 2 a.m. on weekdays and later on weekends. Zygler says the extended hours are to serve overnight workers and first responders.

A company official says another Fresno location could open by the end of the year.

The four-finger combo meal at Raising Cane’s sells for $9.89. (GV Wire/David Taub)

One Dimensional Menu Item

Raising Cane’s keeps its menu simple. The only main item is chicken fingers. Even the sides are limited to crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and Texas toast.

“We just do one thing, do it really well. Our chicken is never frozen. It’s always served fresh. We marinate our chicken for 24 hours prior to serving it. And then pretty much when you order it, we drop it hot and fresh directly into the fryer,” Zygler said. “We are not big for change. We have the mantra that if it’s not broke, then don’t fix it.”

A single chicken finger sells for $1.59. Combo meals range from $8.69 for three fingers (with fries, Texas toast, and a drink) to six fingers for $14.59. A two-piece kids meal is $5.49.

Even the sandwich combo ($8.69) is just three fingers in a bun.

As part of a St. Patrick’s Day promotion, Raising Cane’s is serving green lemonade.

Most of the chicken comes from Foster Farms in Fresno.

Above: the chicken sandwich combo ($8.69). Below: each order comes with Texas toast. Each piece sells for 99 cents. (GV Wire/David Taub)

You Might See Elvis

A portrait of Elvis Presley hangs in a corner of the Fresno store.

“Elvis is one of my favorite elements in the restaurant, so we have a velvet Elvis, which is hand-painted and it is unique to every single Raising Cane’s. Our founder wanted to cover a hole in the wall at our first Raising Cane’s and used an Elvis towel and a frame to do it. And that was our first velvet Elvis, and now we have a velvet Elvis as a tribute to that and every Raising Cane’s,” Zygler said.

There is a Fresno State baseball jersey on another wall, as well as patches of Fresno fire and police patches. Each restaurant is uniquely decorated and strives to reflect the community, Zygler said.

As far as the name — Cane is the name of founder Todd Graves’ dog.

All Raising Cane’s include a portrait of Elvis. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Still Hiring

Even with 1,000 employees at its five Central Valley stores, Zygler says they are still hiring. Pay starts at minimum wage ($15 an hour), with a chance for raises with more experience.

The loose atmosphere is intentional, Zygler says.

“We kind of have this slogan where we make fun of work and we’re very serious about what we do and we have very high standards, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Zygler said. “You hear the chants back there. This is people’s first-time jobs and we’re respectful of that. We want to have a fun work atmosphere and it’s what enables us to get 200 crew members in such a tight labor market.”

A special green lemonade promotion for St. Patrick’s Day. (GV Wire/David Taub)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

DON'T MISS

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

DON'T MISS

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

DON'T MISS

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

DON'T MISS

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

DON'T MISS

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

DON'T MISS

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

UP NEXT

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

UP NEXT

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

UP NEXT

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

UP NEXT

Ringo Is Ready to Rock Your World With ‘Pawsitive’ Vibes!

UP NEXT

Calwa Park Sitting on $7.4M in Grants. Where is New Pool, Other Upgrades?

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Teisha Zonnette Thomas

UP NEXT

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

UP NEXT

Fresno Advocates Want Respect for Immigrants, Defend Miguel Arias

UP NEXT

Clovis Police Searching for At-Risk Missing Man Last Seen in Fresno

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

7 hours ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

9 hours ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

10 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

11 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

11 hours ago

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

12 hours ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

12 hours ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

12 hours ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

12 hours ago

Ringo Is Ready to Rock Your World With ‘Pawsitive’ Vibes!

12 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency has sent staff to the agency that enforces federal gun laws with the goal of revis...

6 hours ago

American Flag Revolver
6 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

Rob_Bonta_Speaking_At_Press_Conference_1280x720
6 hours ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

Garry_Bredefeld_Sandra_Celedon_Mesure_C_1280x720
7 hours ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

Fresno_Unified_Raises_1280x720
7 hours ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

Eastern Market in Washington, D.C.
9 hours ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

Obamacare Sign in San Ysidro, California
10 hours ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

Pride Flags Fly in New York
11 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

11 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend