Home / Business and Economy / Gastonia Lures Chicken Chains: Raising Cane's and Dave's Hot Chicken Eyeing New Locations
Gastonia Lures Chicken Chains: Raising Cane's and Dave's Hot Chicken Eyeing New Locations
15 Nov
Summary
- Gastonia officials confirm Dave's Hot Chicken is establishing a new location
- Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers also attended a pre-application meeting with city officials
- Raising Cane's interested in former Wild Wing Cafe site on Franklin Boulevard
According to recent reports, the city of Gastonia, North Carolina is becoming a hotspot for chicken-based restaurant chains. In October 2025, Gastonia's Director of Economic Development Kristy Crisp confirmed that Dave's Hot Chicken is in the process of establishing a new location on Franklin Boulevard.
But Dave's Hot Chicken is not the only chicken-focused restaurant eyeing Gastonia. Crisp also revealed that Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has attended a pre-application meeting with city officials, though no formal plans have been submitted yet. Raising Cane's has expressed interest in the former Wild Wing Cafe site, located at 3638 E. Franklin Blvd.
Raising Cane's is a fast-growing chain that exclusively sells chicken tenders and sides. The restaurant was founded in 1996 by Todd Graves, who initially struggled to get his business idea off the ground. However, Raising Cane's has since expanded to over 300 locations across the United States, with plans to become a top 10 U.S. restaurant brand by the end of the decade.
The influx of chicken-focused restaurants in Gastonia reflects a broader trend in the industry, as consumers continue to crave convenient, high-quality poultry options. With these new potential additions, the city is poised to become a hub for chicken enthusiasts in the region.
