QSR Raising Cane’s is rising up in the ranks of the chicken world, recently becoming the third largest chicken chain in the United States, reported CNBC.

Its footprint has grown from 500 locations in 2020 to more than 900, and the chain plans to open another 100 locations this year with 200 in the development pipeline. Last year alone it opened 118 restaurants, the outlet reported.

The QSR reported that its system sales rose to $5.1 billion last year, more than double its total in 2021. Per the report, the QSR has locations in 42 states, with New York, Massachusetts, California and Florida among the markets it is targeting with new restaurants at this time.

Raising Cane’s has existed for nearly 30 years with the same menu, including chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw and its original sauce. The retailer said it stays away from new menu items as well as deals and LTOs.

“We do not get into value play. We do not get into limited-time offers. When our customers pull into the drive-thru or walk through the doors, they immediately know what to expect,” said AJ Kumaran, co-CEO of the chicken chain.

“Of course, in a crowded space where major players like Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s and even Taco Bell are competing for diners craving chicken, sustained growth is not guaranteed. Consumers could also continue watching their spending in an uncertain economy,” wrote CNBC.

NACS Daily reported in 2024 that visits to QSR and fast-casual chicken chains “consistently outperformed the wider fast-casual and QSR segments in terms of year-over-year (YoY) visits, with the chicken category seeing a 4.3% YoY traffic boost in Q3 2024,” according to Placer.ai data.

Research shows that in 1970, the average person in the United States ate about 50 pounds of chicken each year. Last year, the Agriculture Department predicted chicken consumption to surpass 100 pounds per person per year for the first time.