“Caniacs” were camped out overnight in front of the new flagship to snag a chance to be one of 20 lucky people (chosen randomly out of the first 200 people in line) to receive free Raising Cane’s for a year.

No Raising Cane’s event would be complete without Raising Cane III — the company’s yellow lab mascot — who was given ample belly rubs and attention from her adoring fans. The restaurant is named after the original Raising Cane, whose photo can be found outside most Raising Cane’s restaurants. Raising Cane II continued the legacy and served as a therapy dog, while Raising Cane III has been a fixture at the restaurants since 2017.

On opening day, 165 crewmembers greeted media and fans, and many of these employees will be training at the global flagship while waiting to be transferred to other New York City stores that have yet to open.

Raising Cane’s is most-known for its classic menu that has not changed much in almost three decades, including chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, buttered “Cane’s toast,” coleslaw, and a popular sauce that allegedly contains mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic, among other flavors (though Raising Cane’s keeps the recipe secret).

The merchandise section of the store sells t-shirts, hats, and collectibles that have nods to New York City, including a t-shirt that emulates a subway sign with letters spelling out the brand’s slogan, “One Love” in lieu of subway lines, and an “I Heart NY” hat starring the popular doggy mascot. Similarly themed Big Apple product lines have been launched at other New York City flagships, including Krispy Kreme and the Starbucks Reserve store.  

Raising Cane III is showing off one of several Instagram-able locations in the store, which includes these whimsical toast-shaped chairs.