Raising Cane’s has opened its first airport location

Raising Cane’s, a fast-casual chicken tender chain, has opened its first airport location at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) at Gate B19 in Terminal B. This strategic move positions the brand within one of the busiest airports in the United States, which served nearly 88 million travelers from 42 countries last year. The opening at DFW is part of Raising Cane’s broader growth strategy; it has recently launched a flagship restaurant in Los Angeles near SoFi Stadium and another on Hollywood Boulevard, marking its 1,000th restaurant.

Raising Cane’s has demonstrated strong performance in recent years, achieving a 32% sales increase in 2024, and a subsequent 10.6% growth in sales in 2025, reaching $5.48 billion in total revenue. Alongside its robust financial performance, the unit count rose by 10.3% to a total of 913 locations. This places Raising Cane’s as the 16th largest chain by sales in the U.S., a notable jump from the previous year and from its position in 2018 when it reported $1.18 billion in sales and 400 restaurants. Founder Todd Graves stated, “Our goal is to become a top 10 restaurant brand in the U.S.”

The expansion into airport venues signifies a growing trend among fast-casual dining businesses, allowing them to tap into niche markets and increase brand visibility among a transient customer base. The operator profile appears to lean towards experienced multi-unit operators, evidenced by the rapid scaling of locations.

Financial details regarding the investment or financing structure for this airport location have not been disclosed. The pace at which Raising Cane's is growing suggests strong system health and a growing demand for its offerings.

Going forward, it will be important to monitor how the brand manages its rapid expansion and whether it can maintain this momentum through upcoming quarters.