Hundreds of fans lined up in downtown Boston Wednesday morning to see David Ortiz, Jrue Holiday, and viral singer JVKE unveil a fried chicken chain’s newest (and shiniest) location.
The grand opening of Raising Cane’s on Arch Street was a golden moment for celebrity watching — and we mean that literally. The restaurant was wrapped floor-to-ceiling in 10,000 linear feet of gold car vinyl wrap and other golden goods, according to CEO and founder Todd Graves. The flashy theme was in honor of the chain’s golden birthday: 28 years in business on Aug. 28 — and the opening of its 828th location.
“Twenty-eight years ago, I had a dream to start one chicken-finger restaurant in my hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana,” Graves said. “When I saw the crew here, I choked up and started crying because I saw the same type of great crew members I started with.”
Graves was joined by Red Sox legend Ortiz and Celtics star Holiday, both on hand to cut the ribbon at the Downtown Crossing opening bash.
The fast food chain “has been getting it done for 28 years,” Ortiz said to a throng of chicken enthusiasts and Boston sports fans. “Opening another place, it tells a lot.”
Holiday, just back from winning Olympic gold, thanked Boston for all the love after the C’s won their 18th championship and Team USA scored big in Paris.
“The city has embraced me to do so many successful things in such a short amount of time…” he said. “Obviously the last couple of months for me personally, and all of us, has been crazy, and I think Todd here bringing more gold to the city is the perfect fit.”
Also in the house: Jacob Lawson, 23, known as JVKE, who performed his two viral TikTok songs: “golden hour” and “this is what falling in love feels like.”
Since Raising Cane’s opened in Rhode Island, Lawson’s home state, it has become part of the singer’s recording ritual. After spending time in the studio, he and his brother head to restaurant for a break, he said.
Before the restaurant officially opened its doors, a line of people wrapped around the block, many hoping to win one of the restaurant’s giveaways.
Kevin Hernandez, 23, began camping out around 2 a.m. and snagged the first spot in line.
“Me and my girlfriend, we have a little tradition that we do for Cane’s,” Hernandez said. For the past four years, “every time we go to New York City in July for my birthday, we always go to the Cane’s in Manhattan.”
Social media influencers also made the scene, including Danessy Auguste, 22, a Massachusetts native who has amassed almost 1 million followers on TikTok.
“It was super fun to watch everybody show up for the community,” she said. “I’m just happy to see everyone coming together for such a special opening.”
Graves said the chain has donated over $140 million to charity and pledged to donate another $28 million this “golden birthday year.”
“Boston’s very special to me, and this community has really embraced us.” Graves said. “We’re going to promise $28 million this year to our communities, and every year I promise to do more and more.”
Raising Cane’s currently has several locations in Massachusetts and plans to open four more in the next six months, Graves said.
