Why camp out for Raising Cane’s? Here’s what some of the first Rockford customers said about the experience

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Dozens of Caniacs bundled in blankets and waited in line for hours to be the first customers Tuesday at the city’s first Raising Cane’s.

The reason was simple for some: They wanted the chance to be one of 20 people to win free Raising Cane’s for a year.

The fandom for Raising Cane’s, which describes its most loyal followers as Caniacs, is centered on the signature sauce for some, the hot and fresh Texas toast for others, the sweet tea or the classic chicken fingers that the menu is built around.

April Mendoza, a 17-year-old Guilford High School student who was the first customer at the new Rockford location, said you have to try it to understand why the chicken finger chain has such a fervent following.

“You have to experience it first-hand,” she said. “Once they try it, they’ll know why.”

Raising Cane’s officially opened its doors at 10 a.m. Tuesday at 6445 E. State St., which is at the corner of State and Trainer Road on the former plot of Stone Eagle Tavern.

A line of more than a hundred people huddled in front of the restaurant as strong gusts of winds brought a chill through the spring air. Once the drive-thru opened at 10 a.m., a long line of cars formed stretching through the adjacent parking lot toward Office Max and Sierra.

“I didn’t expect it was going to be this packed” said Jeanette Ortiz, 20, of Rockford, who lined up with friend Lupita Mendoza, 23.

Ortiz said Lupita Mendoza alerted her early Tuesday morning that a line was already forming, so she rushed out of bed and joined in as soon as possible.

Raising Cane’s was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisana, by Todd Graves. It now has nearly 900 restaurants in more than 40 states. The nearest Raising Cane’s to Rockford until now was in DeKalb. There are also locations in Chicagoland.

“I hated going far for Cane’s, so I’m glad they have it here now,” Lupita Mendoza said.

The opening event was filled with pomp and celebration. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with chants and cheers from Cane’s staff and a few welcoming speeches from Aldermen Mark Bonne and Chad Tuneberg, County Board member Kevin McCarthy and Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli. Victor E. Huskie the Northern Illinois University mascot was on hand to help in the festivities.

Everyone in line by 8:30 a.m. was entered into a random drawing for 20 people to receive free Cane’s for a year.

“I was ecstatic and shocked at the same time because there were a lot of people out there and I didn’t think I would be one of the winners,” said Shawndell White of Rockford, who lined up with his wife Graciela Jimenez Montes at 4:30 a.m.

“When they said they had a Cane’s coming down here it was one of the best things I heard, so I had to come down here and try it out,” he said.

April Mendoza, who arrived at 10:30 p.m. Monday night in order to be the first in line, was welcomed through a cheerleader-style tunnel as the first customer. Cane’s team members waved pom poms as she trotted through the tunnel with Cane’s video and photography teams capturing the experience. She was also given a gift basket filled with Cane’s merchandise and posed for photos at the counter for the first order.

“The experience is amazing,” she said. “Seeing all these people here for Cane’s.”

Mendoza parked a chair in front of the door Monday night, but she didn’t stay outside through the overnight cold.

“We left our chair outside the door and then we sat in the car for awhile because it was really cold and windy last night,” she said.

Mother and daughter Crystal and Trinity Noble of Durand, who were second in line arriving about a half hour after Mendoza, had a similar strategy to avoid the cold.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” Crystal Noble said. “I wish the weather was a little warmer.”

Trinity Noble said she’s been a fan of the restaurant for years and wanted to line up to be one of the first customers and get a shot at winning the free Cane’s.

“The sauce is the best,” she said.

Tamsy Leverton, a Rockford University student who lined up at 4:30 a.m. with her boyfriend, Preston Neblock, said she discovered Raising Cane’s while traveling with her volleyball team. She’s been a fan ever since.

“It really is that special sauce,” she said. “It’s chicken like no other. Every single time it’s good.”

April Mendoza had a similar story, first trying Raising Cane’s after a soccer game in DeKalb.

“I really like everything: The toast, the sauce, the chicken tenders,” she said. “I like that it’s always fresh and warm.”

Ortiz, whose early morning arrival put her in the middle of the pack, said the signature sauce and the bread are what keep her coming back. But the early arrival on Tuesday was more about the experience than the food.

“It’s an experience. It’s a one-time thing,” she said. “You only live once, so you might as well get chicken fingers and that signature sauce.”

Hours and location

Where: 6445 E. State St., Rockford

Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday (closed Easter Sunday)

Online: Order HERE

More photos

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas