It’s official! Pensacola’s first Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers has confirmed its June 16 opening at 5110 N. Ninth Ave., just outside Cordova Mall.
The restaurant will staff a team of 150 crew members, with starting pay of $15 per hour, the company shared in a statement on May 28.
The fast-casual restaurant will be hosting “an all-out celebration” offeringFree Cane’s for a Year to some lucky customers, hosting community givebacks and more.
“We are excited to bring Raising Cane’s to Pensacola Community,” Raising Cane’s Area Leader of Restaurants Rogelio Ruiz shared in a statement. “This opening marks an exciting milestone for our Crew as we continue expanding across the Sunshine State. We look forward to serving our ONE LOVE – Craveable Chicken Finger Meals — while creating meaningful connections, supporting local organizations and becoming an active part of the Pensacola Community for years to come.”
Construction is visibly nearing completion, and Pensacola will soon be able to taste cooked-to-order chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries and their top-secret addictive Cane’s sauce.
Late last year, the city of Pensacola approved a request to demolish the former Red Lobster. Raising Cane’s submitted its initial application to the city of Pensacola last May for the civil site work, followed by the permit for “ground up construction of a new quick serve restaurant with attached corral, outdoor seating area and drive thru lanes” in July.
Excitement has been building for the popular chicken-finger chain since a rumor began circulating in 2022 that it was finally coming to Pensacola.
While a Raising Cane’s spokesperson said at the time that it was only just a rumor, they also said a Pensacola location could be possible in the future as the company was “actively looking and hopes to join the Pensacola community soon.”
How to apply to Pensacola Raising Cane’s
Raising Cane’s is looking for a team of 150 dedicated crewmembers. Positions start at $15 an hour, and include roles such as cashier, fry cook and customer service associate.
Here is how interested candidates can apply:
According to the restaurant, Raising Cane’s was named a “Best Place to Work” by Glassdoor, Forbes and USA Today, and “believes in creating opportunities for advancement and offers competitive wages and benefits to prospective Crewmembers.” Crew benefits include “flexible schedules for all Crewmembers and weekly paychecks.” Crewmembers will earn an additional $1 per hour for hours worked past 10 p.m. Crew can also make an extra $1.50 per hour within the first 12 months of employment and are eligible to receive referral bonuses.
Could more Panhandle Raising Cane’s locations be on the way?
Raising Cane’s previously told USA TODAY that the openings are part of the chain’s plan to own and operate more than 1,600 locations nationwide and become a top 10 U.S. restaurant brand by the end of the decade.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Raising Cane’s confirms opening date; hiring 150 employees starting at $15hr
Reporting by Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
