Restaurants

Region’s first Raising Cane’s open for business in Sterling

After more than two years of anticipation, the big day is here. Raising Cane’s — the crazy popular southern chicken finger restaurant chain — has opened its first store in the immediate DC suburbs. And its right here in Loudoun County.

Dozens of Cane’s fans — or “caniacs” — turned out to the new store at the Dulles Eastern Plaza off Atlantic Boulevard in Sterling. The opening celebrations included a ribbon cutting ceremony, free giveaways and more.

Katherine Paulikonis of Herndon was the first official customer Tuesday morning, arriving at the store around 5:45 a.m. She even pushed back an interview with a potential grad school to make it happen.

For her troubles, Paulikonis received a gift basket, free Raising Cane’s food for a year and other prizes. The others in the long line received a Cane’s t-shirt and a free meal.

The Burn has been covering Raising Cane’s progress since we first broke the news back in 2020 (see our complete coverage here) and we were on hand for all the festivities this morning. Check out our photos below.

Company leaders, local leaders, cheerleaders from Dominion High School, and Cane’s fans gather before the grand opening.
The lines started forming around 5:45 a.m.

Raising Cane’s made a donation to Veterans Moving Forward, a local charitable group.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony.
The dining room at Raising Cane’s.

The counter area at Raising Cane’s in Sterling.
Katherine Paulikonis enters Raising Cane’s as the first official customer.
Katherine Paulikonis with her gift basket and first meal of Raising Cane’s chicken fingers.