Raising Cane’s Crystal Lake location set for special launch

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is set to open Tuesday, Nov. 9, during a grand opening that will include the chance for customers to win free food for a year.

Built on the former Pauly Toyota site at 5417 Northwest Highway, the Crystal Lake location is Raising Cane’s 20th in Illinois. The restaurant, known for its chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, “Cane’s Sauce” and Texas toast, also has locations in DeKalb, Gurnee, Schaumburg, Batavia and Naperville, among others.

City Planner Elizabeth Maxwell previously told the Northwest Herald that Raising Cane’s has a good following, and residents had expressed interest in having the restaurant in Crystal Lake.

“They’re very popular. I mean, every time they open a store, there’s a big line,” Maxwell said last year. “People are very excited when they come to town. … We know they’re going to do very well here.”

Restaurant Leader Matt Moon, who grew up in the area, said he has a lot of pride in the community.

“I’m genuinely excited to bring Raising Cane’s to the community that I grew up in,” Moon said in a statement. “Working with the schools that I attended and the church that I am a part of, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Crystal Lake’s Raising Cane’s location will offer takeout, dine-in, a double drive-thru and patio. People also can order online or through a mobile app. Its hours are 10 a.m. to midnight every day.

The restaurant will accept entries for its “Lucky 20″ drawing to award 20 customers free Cane’s for a year from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to a news release. Winners of the drawing will be notified by Nov. 10. The restaurant also is giving the first 100 dine-in customers a free Cane’s T-shirt.

Later this year, the Crystal Lake Raising Cane’s will raise money for On Angels Wings, a local animal shelter, Moon said in the release.

“We will continue to get involved with … schools and organizations throughout the area,” Moon said.

Cane’s is hiring, according to the release. Those interested in applying can do so at WorkAtCanes.com.