The wait is finally over, Raising Cane’s in Idaho Falls opens as hundreds gather to celebrate
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IDAHO FALLS — Hundreds of local community members braved the cold fall weather to attend the grand opening of Raising Cane’s newest Idaho Falls location on Tuesday morning.
The new location is at 2236 South 25th East and is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Two teens had been waiting since Sunday to be first in line when the restaurant opened.
Aiden Foster, a student at Thunder Ridge, and Knoxx Summers of Bonneville Technical Careers High School, both sophomores, ended their 48-hour journey as soon as Raising Cane’s doors opened. Foster was second in line, and Summers was first.
Since setting up camp at 7 p.m. Sunday, Foster said the weather over the past two days was the most difficult part. According to the National Weather Service, the temperature Monday night reached as low as 36 degrees.
“We’ve been sleeping in the car, and we’ve had a good time, just cuddling warm in our sleeping bags and making sure that we had hot hands and we’re just ready to roll,” Foster said.
Explaining what possessed them to wait so long, he said that they both thought it would be fun to be the first ones to eat at Raising Cane’s.
As students, Foster and Summers agreed it was worth the wait and skipping two days of classes.
While not as dedicated as Foster or Summers, the father-daughter pair, James and Taylor Biggs, decided to wait until early Tuesday morning to get their spots in line.
“We’re gonna come super early. We’re gonna get all the free stuff, and we’re gonna do this,” Taylor said.
Standing 54th and 55th in line, James said the pair had planned to attend the grand opening as soon as they learned a Raising Cane’s would be built in Idaho Falls.
James said his daughter, a Hillcrest student, was allowed to skip school for the event.
They had planned to brave the weather to be closer to the front of the line, but they decided to wait in the car due to the cold weather.
One of the winners of the Lucky 20 drawing, where each winner gets a year of free Raising Cane’s, Victoria Carbajal said she didn’t expect to win but is very happy to use it for her family. Carbajal is a freshman at Skyline High School.
Part of the grand opening festivities included a $1,000 check presentation to Idaho Falls School District 91.
District 91 Superintendent Karla LaOrange told EastIdahoNews.com that she is excited to have businesses like Raising Cane’s in Idaho Falls to support local students.
Joey Nelson, area leader for Raising Cane’s restaurants, said the company has always supported the local community and is excited to give back. He said he was grateful for the community’s support, despite the cold weather.
“Chicken, chicken, chicken. What combo you picking?” Nelson called out.
