Raising Cane’s in downtown East Lansing is on the way. Here's where the project stands

EAST LANSING — Construction is underway for Michigan’s first Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers restaurant in downtown East Lansing.

The restaurant will be at 301 E. Grand River Ave., across M.A.C. Avenue from Potbelly Sandwich Shop and nestled between Cold Stone Creamery and the Curious Book Shop.

“We plan to open this location late fall – more specific timeline to come as we make progress with construction!” Julia Doyle of Raising Cane’s said in an email.

Raising Cane’s was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The company has grown from a single restaurant outside the north gates of Louisiana State University to more than 600 restaurants across 32 U.S. states and the Middle East.

Raising Cane’s menus include chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Cane’s sauce and Texas toast.

The company announced its East Lansing plans in February. It chose the city because of the proximity to Michigan State University, as students make great “Caniacs,” the name for the restaurant’s customers, Raising Cane’s Chief Operating Officer and co-CEO AJ Kumaran said in a past interview.

Construction for the East Lansing site started mid-April. Some of the site’s past uses include restaurants such as Cosi and Snap Custom Pizza.

Construction work includes selective demolition and complete renovation of the existing restaurant. There will be a new storefront entrance, dining room and a pickup window, according to the building permit posted on the site’s window.

The restaurant will be non-traditional for Raising Cane’s because it won’t have a drive-thru, Doyle said.

The location has great visibility and tons of foot traffic, and the company is excited about the exposure it will get from being in such a prime spot, she said.

“Customers will get a great experience when they visit our East Lansing restaurant – our quality chicken finger meals, complete with our handmade fresh chicken fingers and award-winning Cane’s Sauce,” she said. "They will walk into great energy in the restaurant, fun music and Crew that are having a good time.”

The East Lansing store is hiring and plans to have about 110 crew members.

Contact Bryce Airgood at 517-267-0448 or bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan’s first Raising Cane’s construction underway