Cane's craze hits Coeur d'Alene
HAILEY HILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO
COEUR d’ALENE — Raising Cane’s opened its doors for the first time Tuesday morning, but some devoted “caniacs” were in line well before that.
The first customer had claimed their spot around 1 p.m. Monday, said restaurant leader Vanessa Hymer. Over 30 people were staked out in front of the restaurant at 163 W. Neider Avenue by 9 p.m.
“We’ve had a great opening day,” Hymer said.
The first hundred customers through the doors received a Cane’s hat and a voucher for a free Cane's Box Combo at their next visit. Twenty lucky customers received free Cane’s for a year.
Though the giveaway goodies disappeared quickly after the 9 a.m. opening, customers continued to pour into both the restaurant and dual-lane drive-thru throughout the day.
“We got our food really fast,” said Macy Stinson. “It was honestly impressive.”
The menu at Raising Cane’s is simple, hence their “one love” slogan: made-to-order chicken fingers.
Sides include crinkle-cut fries, Texas Toast, and Coleslaw, but it’s their signature, secret-recipe “Cane’s sauce” that got many excited about the restaurant’s arrival in North Idaho.
“I hadn’t tried it before today,” said Kelly Ramos. “I’d say it’s worth the hype.”
Coeur d’Alene Police officers were on scene to ensure the opening day draw didn’t impede traffic flow on Neider Avenue or U.S. 95.
Sgt. Jared Reneau with CDAPD said the grand opening festivities went on without a hitch.
“It’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the week plays out,” he said. “The fact that there’s this many people out here already should be a sign of things to come.”
Restaurant staff showed their gratitude by presenting a $1,000 donation to the EXCEL Foundation, a nonprofit that provides grants to teachers in Coeur d’Alene School District 271.
“Active community involvement is really big for us,” Hymer said.
The restaurant hired about 135 employees ahead of opening day, and staff members like Christian Coles-Acevedo greeted the rush of customers with a smile.
“I love serving people, and I love Cane’s,” he said. “It’s a wonderful place to be.”
Raising Cane’s is open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Staff took hundreds of orders within the first few hours after Raising Cane's officially opened at 163 W. Neider Avenue on Tuesday.ARTICLES BY HAILEY HILL
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