Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Names R.J. Brunelli & Co. Exclusive Real Estate Rep for Central & Northern NJ, Staten Island

--Brokerage to help guide fast-growing chain's initial move into New Jersey and New York;

Eight locations annually planned for central & northern New Jersey alone

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Mar 29, 2021, 08:37 ET

OLD BRIDGE, N.J., March 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, the fast-growing limited menu chain that currently operates 547 locations in 29 states and four foreign countries, has selected R.J. Brunelli & Co., LLC to help guide its entry into key New Jersey and New York markets.

Founded in 1996 with a single location in Baton Rouge, La., Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers today operates 547 restaurants in 29 states and four foreign countries.

The Old Bridge-based retail real estate brokerage was named exclusive real estate representative for the fast-casual chain in central and northern New Jersey, and Staten Island, N.Y. With the exception of a single location in Massachusetts, the Baton Rouge, La.-headquartered chain has yet to break into the Northeast.

"We are thrilled to be a part of this important, community-minded brand's expansion into New Jersey and New York," said R.J. Brunelli President/Principal Danielle Brunelli, who will lead an account team that also includes CEO/Principal Ron DeLuca, VP/Principal Mario Brunelli, and Senior Sales Associate Pete Nicholson.

"Our account team is seeking freestanding locations for company-owned restaurants at prime intersections along every major corridor in central and northern New Jersey, and Staten Island," Ms. Brunelli continued. "Plans call for eight locations annually in our central and northern New Jersey markets alone."

Raising Cane's specifications for the metro New Jersey/New York market call for sites of 1 acre or more to accommodate a building of 3,500 to 4,000 square feet with a double drive-thru, and parking for 30 to 40 or more cars. Site preferences include high visibility corner locations with signalized access on roads with a daily traffic count of at least 35,000. Locations should offer close proximity to universities, schools, major retail centers, office parks, major medical facilities, or high-density residential areas—all primed for daytime and nighttime dining.

Founded by entrepreneur Todd Graves in 1996, Raising Cane's appeals to a broad demographic with a limited menu offering white meat chicken fingers, chicken finger sandwiches, fries, coleslaw, Texas Toast, and tailgate trays.

The company's story is one of resilience. Graves' initial business plan for the concept was presented in a business course, where he promptly earned the lowest grade in the class. Undeterred, he donned a cheap suit and picked up a weathered briefcase to lure investors in, but time after time, was told the same thing: "Serving only chicken finger meals just won't work."

To make his dream a reality, Graves worked as a boilermaker in California and a Sockeye salmon fisherman in Alaska, to earn money to open the first location in Baton Rouge. He renovated the building himself and opened the doors in 1996.

As that single location morphed into a multi-state and multi-national operation, CEO Graves netted a slew on honors, including Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, the SCORE Award for Outstanding Socially Progressive Business, Restauranteur of the Year by the Louisiana Restaurant Association, and Louisianan of the Year by Louisiana Life. He was also one of four restaurant company CEOs recognized on Glassdoor's Top 100 CEOs of 2019.

"The company's commitment to its employees and communities was personified during the current pandemic," Ms. Brunelli noted. "They didn't let go of one person during COVID and instead gave back to their communities, helping people get through the pandemic."

Property owners with sites that meet the company's criteria should contact Danielle Brunelli at: [email protected] or (732) 721-5800.

About R.J. Brunelli & Co.
R.J. Brunelli & Co. serves as exclusive broker for 35 retail properties with a combined gross leasable area (GLA) exceeding 2.3 million square feet, and five properties for sale. The properties are located throughout New Jersey. The firm also serves as exclusive or preferred tenant representative for approximately 20 retail, restaurant and service chains. These include representation in various New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania counties for such companies as Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, Jersey Strong, Urban Bricks Pizza, Modern Acupuncture, European Wax Center, Asian Food Markets, New Jersey Spine and Wellness, Mobile Health Solutions, and Legend Park—the latter, a national account.

Press contacts: At R.J. Brunelli & Co., LLC, Danielle Brunelli, President, (732) 721-5800; at Jaffe Communications Bill Parness, (732) 673-6852, or Elisa Krantz, (908) 789-0700, [email protected]

SOURCE R.J. Brunelli & Co.