One dream, one love: Raising Cane’s opens new location in Framingham
![On Tuesday, May 20, the popular food chain Raising Cane’s opened its doors to the public at their new Framingham location. Eager customers, including Framingham residents, people from neighboring towns and several WHS students, rushed to 253 Cochituate Road throughout the day to get their hands on some crispy chicken. “I think the community at large is very excited [and] a lot of the people that work here are directly from the community,” Leader of Recruiting, Fry Cook and Cashier at Raising Cane's, Julio Polanco said. “Lots of energy, lots of questions and lots of curiosity leading to [opening day].”](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-21-at-1.50.53 PM-e1747850453554.png)
Chicken finger fanatics, the wait is finally over.
Raising Cane’s brought its famous chicken fingers and beloved Cane’s sauce to Route 9 on Tuesday, May 20. Marking its first location opened in the MetroWest, Cane’s welcomed a number of customers eager to dig in. Although it is the third chicken restaurant within neighboring plazas, Cane’s seemed to drag many chicken lovers to their doors.
A Cane’s employee cuts the ribbon in front of the restaurant alongside Chamber of Commerce members, Mayor of Framingham Charlie Sistsky, Framingham High School cheerleaders and other Cane’s employees.
The new Raising Cane’s is located in the Golden Triangle in Framingham, where many popular shops and restaurants are located. Unlike most fast-food locations in MetroWest, Cane’s has a double lane drive-through window and walk-in options for the convenience of their customers. The store is expected to be open daily from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m..
During a license board meeting that took place in December 2024, the food sellers permit was unanimously approved for the new Cane’s. After their opening in Marlborough in May of 2023, this will be the seventh Cane’s to open in Massachusetts. More locations are currently being planned, such as an expected opening in Saugus soon.
The official opening was held on Tuesday at 10 a.m., although Cane’s gave numerous awards and special giveaways for customers who arrived early. Cane’s offered a “Lucky 20” drawing to grant 20 fortunate customers ages 13 and older free food from Cane’s for a year. Cane’s accepted entries from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and contestants had to be present to accept their prize. Furthemore, a hat and free Box Combo card was offered to the first 100 customers who ordered a Box Combo and dine-in. Finally, the restaurant presented a $1,000 check to support Stray Pets in Need, a local volunteer-run shelter for animals.
Eager to be the first customer in line, Southborough resident Michelle Hebee arrived at Raising Cane’s at around 4 a.m. and waited until the store opened at about 8:30 a.m.. When she arrived, she realized that there were already two cars at the restaurant, so she jumped out of her car and decided to wait by the door.
“It was actually fun in the sense that everyone was very nice in line, and we kind of made new friends in line and waiting,” Hebee said. “[I’ve] just [tried Cane’s] in the Marlborough location, but I’ve obviously tried other chicken places as well and this chicken is by far the best in terms of it [being] moist and then crispy on the outside.”
In addition to customer give-aways, Cane’s commemorated their grand opening all morning with music by DJ Mikey V. at 9 a.m. and the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place where Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce and Framingham High School cheerleaders celebrated together.
“We are so excited to be able to serve our craveable chicken finger meals here in framingham, and we know that there [are] many surrounding communities that will benefit from enjoying these craveable chicken meals as well,” Leader of Marketing Heather Santoro said.
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