🍗 First Cane’s in Oakleaf Station – Opening July 15

The much-anticipated first Jacksonville location of Raising Cane’s will open on July 15 at 8308 Merchants Way, Oakleaf Station (at Argyle Forest Blvd). This double-drive-thru, 2,691 sq ft restaurant includes a dining patio and is slated to hire over 150 crew members—with a grand opening celebration beginning at 9 a.m., offering early-bird perks like “Free Cane’s for a Year” for the first 20 guests.

📍 More Northeast Florida Locations in the Pipeline

Raising Cane’s isn’t stopping at one. Plans are underway for four additional Northeast Florida locations, increasing the regional footprint to five restaurants:

Mandarin (San Jose Blvd.)
– Repurposing a former Pollo Tropical at 10989 San Jose Blvd. with a 2,868 sq ft layout currently in design.
Town Center (Gate Parkway)
– A 95-seat, dual drive-thru Cane’s planned at 4863 Gate Parkway in The Markets at Town Center, occupying the former Pollo Tropical site.
North Jacksonville (River City Marketplace)
– A second dual-drive-thru restaurant near 730 Skymarks Drive, following another closed Pollo Tropical footprint.
Regency Square Mall (Arlington Expressway)
– A 2,786 sq ft outlet with drive-thru proposed at the redeveloped “Nexus at Regency” retail campus.

🌟 What This Means for Florida Fans

Bold Expansion Strategy: With 100 new locations planned nationwide in 2025, Cane’s shows no signs of slowing down—Oakleaf marks a key foothold in Jacksonville’s southwest corridor.
Opportunity in Reuse: All additional Jacksonville sites repurpose vacant Pollo Tropical properties, signaling Cane’s savvy real-estate strategy.
Strong Local Reception: Hiring efforts and community giveaways suggest enthusiastic anticipation among First Coast residents.

🔧 What’s Next

Construction Phase: Building underway at Oakleaf and design progressing across other sites.
Permitting & Utility Steps: JEA has issued service letters; all sites are advancing through planning and engineering approvals.
Community Engagement: Expect more job fairs, public updates, and neighborhood outreach as openings approach.

📣 Community Reaction

Local diners are buzzing on social media about the "better-than-Chick‑fil‑A" chicken chain arriving soon—commenters on Instagram and Facebook hype the Oakleaf opening and speculate excitedly about the Mandarin and Town Center spots.

✅ Bottom Line

Beginning July 15, Pensacola-area and wider Northeast Florida residents will get to savor their first Raising Cane’s chicken fingers at Oakleaf Station. With four more locations in the works, the chicken chain is setting its sights on regional dominance—bringing fresh jobs, new dining options, and bold flavor to Jacksonville’s diverse communities.

Raising Cane’s Heats Up Jacksonville: First Location Opens July 15 with Four More on the Way!

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