Raising Cane’s will replace Wendy’s at Gatehouse Plaza
Raising Cane’s will open a new restaurant on the site of Wendy’s at 3040 Gatehouse Plaza in Merrifield, according to the Washington Business Journal.
Raising Cane’s is a fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in chicken fingers and crinkle-cut fries.
Wendy’s is still open. Raising Cane’s entered into a lease agreement for the property and expects to open in the fourth quarter of 2027, the WBJ reports. The company plans to update the façade and is seeking permission to modify Wendy’s drive-through.
Wendy’s opened nearly 30 years ago as an original tenant at Gatehouse Plaza.
Related story: New restaurant in Seven Corners is all about chicken fingers
The Raising Cane’s chain, based in Baton Rouge, La., is growing quickly, with 118 new restaurants opening nationwide in 2024.
A Raising Cane’s restaurant opened last October in Seven Corners in the former Dogfish Head Alehouse space. The walls are decorated with local memorabilia.
Founder Todd Graves named the chain after his Labrador retriever.
Love those sauce dipped Cane fingers. I wish it was closer, but will definitely visit.
Meh. We need a Cook Out
Truth.
Fax fax
That place is trash I would not ever go there and eat there it is fucking disgusting I rather have Wendy’s they’re way better and have been out for years and I hate to tell you but they’re stupid sauce is nothing but thousand island dressing
daddy chilllllllll
My wife, daughter and I tried RC after noticing the parking lot at 7 corners full all the time. My observations:
VERY expensive for what they offer: basic chicken fingers and crinkle cut fries similar to the TV dinners from my childhood. Perhaps there’s a nostalgia factor going on, but NONE of us were impressed. McD’s chicken strips are better AND more affordable.
The restaurant itself is nicer similar to TGIF’s, cleaner, and a responsive staff. The clientele were obese but I can’t for the life of me understand why. At these prices, I’d go bankrupt.
Is there some magic heron 8-balls in this stuff we didn’t taste?
My wife likes Wendy’s for many things: The chili (made from leftover dried out hamburgers, but still), the chicken sandwiches, and so on. To each his, or her own, I guess.
I tried it recently, and I kinda feel the same. Like, what’s the draw? Chicken fingers and Ore-Ida fries, One kind of dipping sauce. What?
Tried in on a road trip a few weeks ago. Super underwhelming. Sauce is decent, but the chicken and fries were mediocre at best.
STOP HATING ON CANES
I love canes I am hyped but please move it closer to 2025, F Wendy’s,
The chicken tenders are the star, and they deliver. They’re hand-battered fresh, with a light, golden crust that’s crispy without being overly crunchy or falling apart mid-bite. Inside? Juicy and tender—none of that dry, overcooked fast-food nonsense you get elsewhere. Each tender clocks in around $1.80, which feels fair for the quality. Paired with the Cane’s Sauce (a creamy, tangy blend of mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire, and a secret kick of garlic and black pepper), it’s addictive. Dip once, and you’re hooked; dip twice, and you’ll be plotting how to recreate it at home. Reviewers rave about this combo, calling it “like homemade fried chicken done right” and the reason Cane’s edges out competitors like Chick-fil-A for pure satisfaction.
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The Texas toast is buttery and garlicky, perfect for sopping up sauce, and the fries? Seasoned just enough to hold their own, though they’re best hot and a tad soggy otherwise.Service is another win—quick, friendly, and consistent. My order was out in under 10 minutes during a lunch rush, and the staff even tossed in extra sauce without asking. It’s no wonder they’re #2 in sales per store (behind only Chick-fil-A), pulling in about $7 million annually per location.
If you’re craving straightforward, craveable chicken without the grease overload of Popeyes or the waffle-fry gimmick of Chick-fil-A, this is your spot.
If raising cane’s was a basketball player it would be lebron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!