One of the nation’s fastest-growing restaurant brands opened doors to history as the first and only Quick Service Restaurant on Nashville’s Lower Broadway
Raising Cane’s and country music collided in craveable fashion today (Wed, June 26th) as the chicken finger brand opened doors to its one-of-a-kind flagship restaurant on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. The 100-year-old Baxter Building that previously housed some of the city’s most bustling businesses is now home to Raising Cane’s and its iconic chicken finger meals. Located on the corner of Broadway and Third Ave. N. at 212 Broadway, Raising Cane’s made its mark on Music City smack dab in the middle of the honky-tonk town.
“Today marks a monumental day for Cane’s as we officially open the doors to our Nashville Flagship Restaurant on Broadway,” states Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves. “When designing this restaurant, I wanted it to reflect the rich history and musical inspiration that fuels Nashville and has made it one of the most iconic places in the country. Nashville is guitars, denim, rhinestones, music and so much more, and I think we captured that essence perfectly with this flagship.”
Graves first debuted the restaurant to some of his closest friends and Music City musicians at a private VIP party last night (Tues, June 25th), featuring an acoustic set by Nashville performing artist Hardy and DJ sets by DJ Grant and Brandi Cyrus. Hardy played hits “Truck Bed,” “Unapologetically Country As Hell,” and covered Morgan Wallen’s “More Than My Hometown.” Hardy was joined by his wife, Caleigh Ryan. Brandi Cyrus followed his performance by spinning country music hits and even played her sister Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers,” mixing and mingling with her music industry friends and enjoying Chicken Fingers.
The invitation-only event was star-studded with appearances from musicians, athletes, influencers, and some of Graves’ closest friends including country artists Lauren Alaina, Dustin Lynch, Cooper Alan, Dylan Marlowe, Dylan Scott, Sicily Rose, and Brittney Spencer; athletes Fillip Forsberg, Left Wing for Nashville Predators and L’Jarius Sneed, Cornerback of the Tennessee Titans; and comedians Theo Von and Glenny Balls.
“Last night, we celebrated the opening of our Nashville flagship with an amazing performance from Hardy and great entertainment from DJ Grant and Brandi Cyrus,” states Graves. “Surrounded by some of the biggest names in country music and many other Nashville greats, I had the chance to personally show people my favorite parts of the Restaurant and share with them the inspiration behind each element.”
Country pop artist Jenna Davis, who recently dropped her “6FT Nothing” track was one of the first in the restaurant during this morning’s grand opening, which signified a historic day for the brand as Raising Cane’s became the only quick-service restaurant to occupy Lower Broadway. Hundreds of chicken finger fanatics staked out in front of the building, with the first showing up at 3 am, to take in the first-ever Box Combo on Broadway. Raising Cane’s mascot and namesake – Cane III – alongside Graves, his wife Gwen, daughter Sophia, and son Charlie cut a ceremonious red ribbon as confetti cannons shot off into the streets of Broadway, streamers waterfalled from the building’s four-story roof, and a Raising Cane’s sky-banner flew high above Music City. Mixed into the red and white confetti were silver strands of confetti, which came directly from Beyonce’s Renaissance tour.
Graves welcomed the first customer with a hype tunnel, chicken finger chant, and swag bag bursting with exclusive Nashville Raising Cane’s merchandise before heading up the stairs for a press conference with dozens of media in the restaurant’s upstairs dining space. During his time with media, he went in-depth on his inspiration for opening a flagship restaurant on Broadway, intricate design details within the space, the special nods to some of Music City’s most iconic artists and local designers, and of course, how the restaurant’s opening, Cane’s dedicated crew, and the commitment to culture are continuing to fuel his chicken finger dream.
Upon cutting the ribbon, chicken finger fans delighted in the same menu they know and love inside the two-story, uniquely designed space. Adorned with eye-catching art creations and thoughtful design elements at every turn that pays homage to some of country music’s most legendary artists including Johnny and June Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Marty Stuart; and local fabricators like Hatch Show Print Shop, Ranger Stitch, James Willis, and more, the restaurant uniquely combines Music City with Raising Cane’s One Love – craveable chicken finger meals.
The restaurant has officially joined the company of other iconic hotspot eateries and venues like the legendary Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Robert’s Western World, and celebrity-owned spots like Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa, and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar. Serving Box Combos and beats you can stomp your boots to, Cane’s is keeping the party going both day and night, fueling hungry music fans and the city’s growing number of 17 million annual visitors.
Situated in the middle of the shops, restaurants, and venues that define Nashville as Music City, the Raising Cane’s Flagship is now open from 10-2 am daily. Customers now have an entirely new way to get “sauced” on Broadway when they order chicken fingers and Cane’s Sauce, served alongside buttery Cane’s toast, crispy crinkle-cut fries, crunch coleslaw, and choice of freshly squeezed lemonade or other beverage when they dine-in or carry-out.
Encompassing the rich history of Nashville, the restaurant includes a feature wall with a colorful horse-riding cowboy made with an impressive 1.2 million rhinestones; a Johnny and June Cash tribute booth; a Loretta Lynn signed sequin top and one of her prized guitars; and exclusive Nashville Cane’s merch.
The Nashville flagship is the latest of its kind to come from Cane’s and opens exactly a year from when the brand first entered New York and opened its Global Flagship in Times Square, which has since become one of the busiest QSRs in the world. The brand’s other flagships include South Beach, Chicago, and Las Vegas, with plans to open more across the country’s most populous and famous destinations.
