Raising Cane's gets approval to open second Downey location

Raising Cane’s received approval Wednesday to open a restaurant at the southeast corner of Telegraph Road and Lakewood Boulevard. Photo by Alex Dominguez

DOWNEY – A second Raising Cane’s restaurant will open in Downey after gaining approval from the Planning Commission on Wednesday.

The fast-food chicken chain will take over the southeast corner of Telegraph Road and Lakewood Boulevard, resulting in the demolition of a Mobil gas station, Pepe’s Restaurant and L.A. Camper Shells.

Representatives for Raising Cane’s said they anticipate the new restaurant will serve about 1,500 customers daily. It’s not expected to be as busy as their first location at Stonewood Center.

There was debate Wednesday over the restaurant’s proposed hours of operation. Raising Cane’s initially requested to operate from 9 am to 3:30 am to keep consistent with the chain’s late-night operations across its other locations and brand identity.

Commissioners Carrie Uva and Mario Guerra, however, objected to the 3:30 am closing time. City staff recommended they be allowed to stay open until midnight.

“I understand the brand identity about being able to come and eat late. I think it also gives them a competitive advantage when the other chicken place that’s down the street is closed at midnight,” said Guerra, referring to Chick-fil-A. “But I don’t know, man, I can’t believe we approved 3:30 in the morning before.”

Commissioners Elias Saikaly and Hector Lujan sided with Raising Cane’s on a later closing hour, noting the first location’s hours and how the restaurant catered to customers who may work later shifts.

The commission comprised, allowing the restaurant to stay open until 2 am.