Kentucky was ranked sixth in the nation for most fast food restaurants per capita, according to WBKR, in 2015. Bowling Green’s fast food scene bolsters the statistic. However, anyone looking for a crispy meal in our town can contend that quantity doesn’t mean quality. Despite all our options, the quest for the perfect fried chicken remains unfulfilled. This fall, that changes.
Raising Cane’s is coming to town, located only .2 miles from its biggest competitor on Campbell Lane, Chick-Fil-A, not to mention Zaxby’s only .6 miles away.
The question lingers: Which chicken chain will rise to the top?
First, we have to evaluate the options offered at each restaurant. While they all serve chicken, their menus differ drastically. Bowling Green’s newest franchise, Cane’s, has the most selective menu, consisting of various combinations of chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and Texas toast. It resembles many meals that come from its main competitor, Zaxby’s.
Zaxby’s, however, has more selections that aren’t as popular as fried chicken, such as their Zalads, wings, and grilled chicken. Both Cane’s and Zaxby’s have crinkle cut fries, but Cane’s delivers more of a crispy, golden texture due to their “extra-long and center cut fries” compared to Zaxby’s thicker, starchier fries. Zaxby’s fries are a favorite due to the signature creole salt sprinkled on them.
Chick-Fil-A, on the other hand, has the largest menu. They serve chicken minis at breakfast , made from their chicken nuggets, an option not found at the other two restaurants. Chick-Fil-A has a variety of food to suit everyone:soups, salads, sandwiches, fingers, nuggets, wraps, and now mac and cheese. They offer multiple sides; however, their waffle cut fries are a fan favorite and cannot be found at Zaxby’s or Cane’s.
Sauces are another aspect of any menu that spark debate. Zaxby’s and Chick-Fil-A both have pre-packaged signature sauces. Zax sauce is a zesty, creamy blend with a hint of tang, while Chick-Fil-A sauce is a mix of honey mustard and a bit of barbecue. Raising Cane’s sauce, however, raises the bar. It is made fresh in house every day by the general managers, who are sworn to secrecy on the ingredients in the sauce. All the world knows is that it pairs flawlessly with their perfectly-fried chicken.
Once again, on the dessert menu, Chick-Fil-A has the most options. They serve milkshakes, frosted lemonades, and cookies. Zaxby’s offers milkshakes and brownies. Although Cane’s serves fresh meals, they are not committed to desserts.
One thing that sticks out about Chick-Fil-A that isn’t related to food is their customer service. According to Fox Business, Chick-Fil-A is ranked number one for their customer satisfaction. Raising Cane’s has been ranked 3rd, with only one restaurant separating the two. Raising Cane’s not only focuses on service, but they do a lot of work for communities. They support more than 2,000 educational institutions, feed the hungry, support active lifestyles, are involved in more than 75 professional business and entrepreneurial organizations, and work with more than 50 animal humane societies. The CEO and founder of Raising Cane’s, Todd Graves, is dedicated to helping the community and has committed to “give back to the people who have given so much to him,” according to Raising Cane’s. They have given more than 25 percent of their earnings back to the communities in which they reside. Bowling Green is lucky to be getting not only their chicken, but their support.
Not only will Bowling Green benefit from the new chicken chain, Raising Cane’s will be a great addition to the community. Although they may bring some competition to the surrounding restaurants, many people are looking forward to the opening. The introduction of Cane’s into Bowling Green will only increase the fast food influx in town, and it’s almost guaranteed that Raising Cane’s will raise the bar.
Raising Cane’s is coming to town, located only .2 miles from its biggest competitor on Campbell Lane, Chick-Fil-A, not to mention Zaxby’s only .6 miles away.
The question lingers: Which chicken chain will rise to the top?
First, we have to evaluate the options offered at each restaurant. While they all serve chicken, their menus differ drastically. Bowling Green’s newest franchise, Cane’s, has the most selective menu, consisting of various combinations of chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and Texas toast. It resembles many meals that come from its main competitor, Zaxby’s.
Zaxby’s, however, has more selections that aren’t as popular as fried chicken, such as their Zalads, wings, and grilled chicken. Both Cane’s and Zaxby’s have crinkle cut fries, but Cane’s delivers more of a crispy, golden texture due to their “extra-long and center cut fries” compared to Zaxby’s thicker, starchier fries. Zaxby’s fries are a favorite due to the signature creole salt sprinkled on them.
Chick-Fil-A, on the other hand, has the largest menu. They serve chicken minis at breakfast , made from their chicken nuggets, an option not found at the other two restaurants. Chick-Fil-A has a variety of food to suit everyone:soups, salads, sandwiches, fingers, nuggets, wraps, and now mac and cheese. They offer multiple sides; however, their waffle cut fries are a fan favorite and cannot be found at Zaxby’s or Cane’s.
Sauces are another aspect of any menu that spark debate. Zaxby’s and Chick-Fil-A both have pre-packaged signature sauces. Zax sauce is a zesty, creamy blend with a hint of tang, while Chick-Fil-A sauce is a mix of honey mustard and a bit of barbecue. Raising Cane’s sauce, however, raises the bar. It is made fresh in house every day by the general managers, who are sworn to secrecy on the ingredients in the sauce. All the world knows is that it pairs flawlessly with their perfectly-fried chicken.
Once again, on the dessert menu, Chick-Fil-A has the most options. They serve milkshakes, frosted lemonades, and cookies. Zaxby’s offers milkshakes and brownies. Although Cane’s serves fresh meals, they are not committed to desserts.
One thing that sticks out about Chick-Fil-A that isn’t related to food is their customer service. According to Fox Business, Chick-Fil-A is ranked number one for their customer satisfaction. Raising Cane’s has been ranked 3rd, with only one restaurant separating the two. Raising Cane’s not only focuses on service, but they do a lot of work for communities. They support more than 2,000 educational institutions, feed the hungry, support active lifestyles, are involved in more than 75 professional business and entrepreneurial organizations, and work with more than 50 animal humane societies. The CEO and founder of Raising Cane’s, Todd Graves, is dedicated to helping the community and has committed to “give back to the people who have given so much to him,” according to Raising Cane’s. They have given more than 25 percent of their earnings back to the communities in which they reside. Bowling Green is lucky to be getting not only their chicken, but their support.
Not only will Bowling Green benefit from the new chicken chain, Raising Cane’s will be a great addition to the community. Although they may bring some competition to the surrounding restaurants, many people are looking forward to the opening. The introduction of Cane’s into Bowling Green will only increase the fast food influx in town, and it’s almost guaranteed that Raising Cane’s will raise the bar.
By Bug Matthews & Maddie Woodrum