Raising Cane's to Open Two New Jacksonville Restaurants
The chicken chain plans to expand its local footprint with upcoming locations in Southside and Mandarin.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Raising Cane's will continue its Jacksonville expansion with two upcoming restaurant openings scheduled for late 2026 and early 2027. These additions follow the company's entry into the market in July 2025.
Why it matters
The new sites reflect the brand's ongoing growth strategy in the city, which currently includes a fourth potential location under consideration in Arlington.
The company is investing $1.65 million in both the 3,000-square-foot Southside renovation and the 2,770-square-foot Mandarin ground-up construction. Additionally, a proposed 2,786-square-foot Arlington site is currently under review.
The players
Raising Cane's
A popular fast-food chain known for its chicken finger meals that has grown to over 1,000 locations nationwide.
Pollo Tropical
A restaurant chain specializing in Caribbean-style chicken that shuttered its remaining Jacksonville storefronts in early 2025.
The details
The Southside location at 4863 Gate Parkway is a renovation of a former Pollo Tropical site, while the Mandarin Corners facility at 10989 San Jose Blvd involves a $50,000 demolition phase. The expansion targets high-traffic areas following the closure of three local Pollo Tropical restaurants in February 2025.
Timeline
February 2025: Pollo Tropical closed its last three Jacksonville locations.
July 15, 2025: Raising Cane's opened its first Jacksonville restaurant at 8308 Merchants Way.
Late November or early December 2026: The Southside restaurant is expected to open.
Early 2027: The Mandarin Corners restaurant is expected to open.
Market Landscape
The repurposing of former restaurant real estate allows Raising Cane's to accelerate its growth across Jacksonville's competitive dining sector. This strategy mirrors broader industry trends where growing chains prioritize prime, existing locations to secure market share rapidly.
Local diners will gain two additional options for the chain's menu as these sites become operational. These openings provide residents with increased access to the brand's services in the Southside and Mandarin areas.
The takeaway
The chain's aggressive growth in the region demonstrates a shift toward utilizing established restaurant infrastructure rather than relying solely on new builds. Residents can monitor local commercial development filings for updates on the potential Arlington site.
Further reading
For more updates on local business growth, visit the Jacksonville Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Times-Union.
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