News Summary
Raising Cane’s is set to open a new location in Kentwood, Michigan, by December 2025. The restaurant will occupy the former Outback Steakhouse site and feature modern amenities, including dual drive-thru lanes and ample seating. This expansion is part of Raising Cane’s broader growth strategy in Michigan, where it aims to open around 20 new locations over the next decade, enhancing dining options and boosting local employment.
Kentwood, Michigan – Raising Cane’s is set to open its first location in West Michigan by December 2025, marking a significant expansion of the popular chicken restaurant chain in the state. The new establishment will be located at 3650 28th St. SE, on the site of the former Outback Steakhouse, which is currently undergoing demolition.
The new Raising Cane’s restaurant is planned to be approximately 3,400 square feet, which is notably smaller than the previous Outback Steakhouse building that spanned 6,700 square feet. Currently, construction is in progress, with the completion goal firmly set for the end of 2025. The restaurant will feature dual drive-thru lanes capable of accommodating around 12 vehicles, significantly enhancing service efficiency. Additionally, the site will offer onsite parking for customers, seating for 45 individuals indoors, and approximately 16 seats available on an outdoor patio.
To improve access to the restaurant, plans include a dual entrance to the parking lot. This design aims to facilitate a smoother flow of traffic and ease of entry for customers visiting the new location.
Raising Cane’s is widely recognized for its signature chicken finger meals, which typically come with Texas toast, fries, and coleslaw. The brand is gaining traction in Michigan, with three existing locations in East Lansing, Canton, and Ann Arbor. Furthermore, the company has plans to expand even further, with additional locations in Portage and elsewhere, aiming to open around 20 new restaurants across Michigan over the next ten years.
The estimated cost of the new Kentwood restaurant is around $3.8 million. Upon its opening, Raising Cane’s anticipates employing approximately 55 staff members to help manage the operations of the newly built location. The proposed operating hours for the Kentwood establishment will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. from Sunday through Thursday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Kentwood Planning Commission played a pivotal role in bringing this new establishment to fruition by approving a Special Land Use and Site Plan Review in November 2024. The approval demonstrates the city’s support for local economic growth and new business ventures.
As the chain moves forward with its expansion plans, a representative from Raising Cane’s expressed excitement about the brand’s presence in Michigan and acknowledged the positivity and enthusiasm that it has generated among residents. This expansion marks an opportunity for the local community to enjoy a beloved dining option and contributes to the economic development within the Kentwood area.
Raising Cane’s continues to solidify its presence in the fast-food market, particularly in Michigan, demonstrating a prosperous trend in the state’s culinary landscape by offering popular chicken meals in a fast and friendly environment. As construction progresses in Kentwood, anticipation builds for the opening of what aims to be a community hotspot for delicious chicken dinners and quality customer service.
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Additional Resources
- WOOD TV: 28th Street Raising Cane’s Opening
- Google Search: Raising Cane’s Kentwood opening
- Fox 17: Raising Cane’s Coming to Kentwood
- Google Scholar: Raising Cane’s expansion
- MLive: What’s Being Built by Trader Joe’s
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Raising Cane’s
- WZZM 13: Raising Cane’s Coming to West Michigan
- Google News: Raising Cane’s Kentwood
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
