WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – Lovers of Southern style fried chicken–and classic American fast food spots–will be excited about this one!
Walnut Creek appears to be getting a major new fast-food arrival: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is coming to the former Wendy’s space at 2955 North Main Street.
City permit data reviewed by Bay Area Telegraph shows a tenant improvement and change-of-restaurant permit for the site, changing it from Wendy’s to Raising Cane’s, was conditionally approved on April 22, 2025.
A separate commercial sign permit for “RAISING CANE’S” was issued on December 18, 2025, covering wall signs, window signs, drive-thru directional signs, a menu board with awning, a pre-sell board, a drive-thru speaker post, and the chain’s “One Love” channel letters.
The site is currently a Wendy’s restaurant. As we reported previously, that restaurant appears to be closing on May 12.
We reached out to Raising Cane’s for a final confirmation of the new spot, and to ask about an opening date. They’re checking internally, since it sounds like the corporate department and real estate sides of the business are separate.
What Is Raising Cane’s?
Raising Cane’s is one of the country’s most recognizable chicken chains, especially among fans of chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, and its signature Cane’s Sauce.
The company was founded by Todd Graves in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1996, and its whole brand is built around a deliberately simple idea: chicken finger meals. Raising Cane’s describes itself as having “ONE LOVE” — craveable chicken finger meals — and says it is known for its crew, culture, and community involvement.
The first restaurant opened near Louisiana State University on August 28, 1996, according to the company’s history.
Raising Cane’s tends to draw real lines when it opens in new Bay Area markets, and the chain has been steadily expanding around Northern California.
Raising Cane’s official California location list already includes nearby-ish Bay Area and Northern California cities such as Hayward, Oakland, Fairfield, San Jose, and Vacaville — but Walnut Creek is not yet listed on the chain’s California locations page.
There’s also one under construction by Fisherman’s Wharf in the City.
When Will It Open?
There is not yet an official opening date listed on Raising Cane’s website for Walnut Creek, and the Walnut Creek location does not appear on the chain’s public California location page as of this writing.
The permit data looks solid, but we’ll want an official confirmation to be 100% sure of the plans here.
Again, we reached out to the company, and we’ll let you know when we hear back with final confirmation, and if they share an opening date. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you updated.
