Narrative

City of Chandler — Study Session (2023-06-26)

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Narrative 
Raising Canes Chicken Fingers C0989 
7450 W Chandler Boulevard 
Chandler AZ 85226 
 
 
MAY 15 2023 
Prepared By:

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Table of Contents 
 
WHO IS RAISING CANES?  ................................................................................................... 3 
ONE GREAT RESTAURANT AT A TIME ........................................................................... 4 
PROJECT OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 5

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WHO IS RAISING CANES? 
The first step to a successful business is a brilliant business plan, right?  Determined to craft the 
perfect strategy, Todd and his friend created a business plan for a course at Louisiana State 
University.  The project received a B-, the lowest in the class! The professor said a chicken finger 
restaurant would never work. The banks said the same.  Undeterred, he took a job as a 
boilermaker working 90-hour weeks in a Los Angeles refinery, and then as a fisherman working 
20-hour days fishing commercially for Alaskan Sockeye Salmon – to raise money himself. After 
purchasing and renovating his own building, Todd opened the first Raising Canes on August 28, 
1996 – at the North Gates of LSU.  It was an immediate success.  
On March 16th, 2020 Raising Canes celebrated the opening of its 500th restaurant in Foothill 
Ranch, California, just down the street from the refinery where he worked to earn his money for 
the 1st Canes.  Since 1996, the company has expanded to over 600 restaurants in 29 states and 
5 countries, all while staying true to its One Love – Chicken Finger Meals! 
Raising Canes has a core value which is to Work with a Sense of Purpose.  They appreciate 
Chicken Finger Meals, Customers, Crew, Community, and Culture. The company’s vision is to 
grow restaurants serving Customers, all over the world, and be the brand for Quality Chicken 
Finger Meals, a great Crew, Active Community Involvement, and a cool Culture.  To date, Raising 
Canes has given back over $10 Million to their communities.  The primary focus areas are 
Education, Feeding the Hungry, Pet Welfare, Active Community Involvement, and Business 
Development & Entrepreneurship.

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ONE GREAT RESTAURANT AT A TIME – BUILDING ARCHITECTURE 
The Raising Canes design theme is One Great Restaurant at Time!  The building architecture Is 
fun, friendly and approachable; possesses an energetic environment; reinforces it’s cool 
crewmembers; is warm and welcoming; and feels unique and original. The design is 
contemporary but not modern.   
The patio is a dynamic and social space – an extension of the inside – welcoming to all 
demographics and is also pet friendly when permissible.  The open kitchen showcases 
crewmembers, quality ingredients, and cooked to order chicken.  It’s a theatre experience – with 
lemonade making, coleslaw and sauce preparation, in clear customer view. 
Each restaurant shows Cane’s commitment to community by including a hand painted exterior 
mural including the name of the City or neighborhood, as well as boasting an interiors package 
with dedicated local graphic art and materials specific to that area.  
Exterior signage and lighting is designed to meet brand minimum standards, and has been 
thoughtfully considered to ensure no overly brash colors or excessive sizes, and fits within the 
context of the surrounding area.  
The landscaping package is custom designed for each location which not only compliments the 
building but consequently heightens the curb appeal for the neighborhood.  The overall design is 
created to be tasteful, welcoming, and uniquely part of its community. 
 
 
 
 
As a deviation away from the typical Raising Cane’s design and architecture we look to employ a 
straightforward color/material palette, the incorporation of a gable roof over the main entrance and

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a reduction in size and a blending of materials and color of the No. 1 architectural element. 
Signage will meet city code requirements. 
 
 
PROJECT OVERVIEW – SITE IMPROVEMENTS 
This narrative has been provided in support of the Administrative Design Review application for 
the proposed Raising Canes located near the northwest corner of Chandler Boulevard and 
Southgate Drive. The proposed establishment, located at 7450 W Chandler Boulevard, will be an 
approximate 2,900 square foot one-story building with a 300+ square foot landscaped outdoor 
dining area. The restaurant will provide the convenience of drive-thru ordering and pick-up, as 
well as to-go pick-up parking stalls for those who have ordered ahead. The strategic location for 
this site is between 50th Street and 54th Street on the westbound side of Chandler Boulevard. The 
addition of this Raising Canes complements other uses with area and will provide a convenient 
and fun location for patrons to enjoy quality food with friends and family. 
The existing onsite improvements consist of an existing vacant restaurant lot with a main building, 
parking stalls, and drive aisles, which is to be demolished in full. The Maricopa County Assessor’s 
Parcel Number is 301-84-118A. The proposed development encompasses 1.354 acres of land 
currently zoned PAD, in a portion of the SE quarter of Section 29, Township 1 South, Range 4 
East of the Gila and Salt River Base Line and Meridian in the City of Chandler, Maricopa County, 
Arizona. More specifically, the parcel is bounded by commercial developments to the north and 
west (zoned PAD), Southgate Drive to the east, and Chandler Boulevard to the south.  
The development of this Chandler, Arizona Raising Canes restaurant will employ 55 full and part-
time Crewmembers, give back to its Community, and provide a Unique place where Customers 
can enjoy Quality Chicken Finger Baskets amongst fun and friends. The proposed restaurant will 
be open 7 days a week from 9:30am-3:30am. 
The proposed Raising Canes development will comply with the City’s Zoning Ordinance and the 
laws set forth by the City of Chandler.  All site signage shall meet City of Chandler code 
requirements.