Photo Southern chicken empire Raising Cane’s will open its first Washington location July 16 just off Mill Plain Boulevard in east Vancouver. The company first confirmed plans for its expansion to Vancouver in August 2022, after filing planning documents for a 3,026-square-foot store, 12601 S.E. Second Circle,  with the city of Vancouver. The Greater Vancouver Chamber is joining Raising Cane’s at a grand opening and ribbon cutting set for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the new location. Doors will open at 9 a.m. The company has expanded rapidly as of late, opening eight locations around the country in April and another five in May. It expects to open around 100 restaurants this year.

The chicken joint, founded in Louisiana and now with around 800 stores nationwide, took over the property that formerly held Sweet Tomatoes and later GS Labs Rapid Testing. That building was demolished and the site redeveloped for Raising Cane’s, with a double drive-thru and automotive charging stations in the parking lot. The restaurant famously serves chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Cane’s Sauce, Texas toast, sweet tea, lemonade, unsweetened tea and fountain drinks. Raising Cane’s Vancouver will be open 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The only Raising Cane’s currently operating in the Pacific Northwest is in Portland’s Pioneer Place. The brand, however, has plans for several Seattle-area locations expected to open later this year.