ONTARIO — The wait is finally over: Raising Cane’s has arrived in Richland County.
After years of road trips and detours to places like Columbus or Sandusky, fans finally have a north central Ohio spot to satisfy their craving at 720 N. Lexington-Springmill Road — and the crowd showed up long before the first chicken finger hit the fryer.
According to Kit Reitter, area leader of Raising Cane’s restaurants north of Columbus, the first person in line Tuesday morning arrived at 4:45 a.m.
“I love the excitement; the last few weeks we’ve been in and out of the community and people keep grabbing us to ask when we’re opening,” Reitter said.
The fried chicken frenzy officially kicked off at 7 a.m. Tuesday with a live DJ, free swag, prize giveaways, and a “Lucky 20” drawing awarding free Cane’s for a year to 20 random guests.
Ontario’s grand opening marks Raising Cane’s 63rd location in Ohio and its 914th restaurant nationwide. Known for its hand-battered chicken fingers and signature Cane’s Sauce, the Louisiana-based chain has built a loyal following across the country.
The Ontario location features a double-lane drive-thru and a dining room decked out in local pride — including high school memorabilia and nods to Ohio State Mansfield. It also earned the nickname “The Great Escape” as a nod to the nearby Ohio State Reformatory and its history with The Shawshank Redemption.
Reitter estimated the location would serve around 3,500 customers by the end of the day on Tuesday. The restaurant hired 100 local employees to keep the chicken fingers cooking.
LOYAL CUSTOMERS
Ontario High School student-athletes and staff helped hype the early-morning crowd, while customers of all ages — from pageant queens to pups — gathered outside in the summer sun.
The morning festivities included a ribbon-cutting with the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce, a proclamation ceremony, and a $1,000 donation to the Richland County Humane Society.
In addition, the first 100 customers to purchase a combo received a limited-edition Cane’s hat and a Free Box Combo card for a future visit.
It was enough to motivate Shelby residents Sheryl and Bud Whitley, their daughter and two granddaughters out of bed at 5:30 a.m. The group was in line by 7:30 a.m. and Sheryl was one of the lucky few chosen for a year of free Cane’s.
“These girls love Cane’s,” Sheryl said, gesturing to her daughter and granddaughters. “When we travel, we always have to find the Cane’s. We were watching the construction for weeks.
“We’re making memories today,” she added. “Lots of pictures to remember when we were crazy and got up at 5:30 a.m. to eat chicken.”
Raven Whitley ate Cane’s for the first time on Tuesday morning. She said she wasn’t impressed by the chicken fingers, or the sauce.
“But I think their French fries are really good and their bread so I think that’s worth it,” she said. “And also, I feel like the hats are worth it if you came to the celebration.
“If you love Cane’s then this is worth it, and it’s worth it if you stand in line.”
Mansfield resident Greg Kanz was also a Cane’s skeptic, but came to be part of the excitement.
“I just had to try it; a couple of the (Richland County Transit) bus drivers stay hype about Raising Cane’s,” he said.
A lifelong resident of Richland County, Kanz said he appreciates the variety that the new restaurant brings to the area.
“It’s getting kind of crowded in a way, but it’s something different,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind seeing a little diversity, like a Korean or Vietnamese restaurant.”
Meanwhile, Megan Peters and David Andrews came from Shelby to enjoy their favorite meal in the dining room: a three-finger combo with sweet tea.
“Cane’s is my favorite, I’m glad they finally came here,” Peters said. “And now I don’t have to drive to Columbus.”
The new Raising Cane’s is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight with extended hours Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
(The photos below were provided by Raising Cane’s)
