BURLINGTON — Raising Cane’s, a fast-food restaurant chain known for its chicken fingers, is opening its first Skagit County location at the former location of Red Robin in Burlington.
Red Robin closed its Burlington location on Sept. 13 as part of the chain’s closure of underperforming locations within the state.
A sign currently at the restaurant’s front entrance thanks customers for their support and directing guests to Red Robin locations in Bellingham and Smokey Point.
As of Wednesday, there were no signs at the site related to Raising Cane’s or construction on the property.
The building that housed Red Robin and the surrounding landscaping will be demolished and replaced with a 3,300-square-foot, single-story building with a two-lane drive-thru.
It will include an indoor dining room and outdoor seating on a covered patio.
On the south and west edges of the property, a landscape screen wall will have two openings for pedestrians to walk from the surrounding sidewalks to the restaurant.
In a final decision document by the city of Burlington hearing examiner, the examiner noted no significant adverse impacts expected to occur due to the Raising Cane’s location.
Driving access to the restaurant will still be through the Cross Court Plaza parking lot, which also houses Target and Planet Fitness.
According to a State Environmental Policy Act checklist for the project, the Raising Cane’s location will employ about 100 people.
Wages for positions at the location have not been made public. However, hourly wages at the Lynnwood location — the one closest to Burlington — start at $17.50, 37 cents above the state minimum wage.
In an email to the Skagit Valley Herald, a Raising Cane’s representative said the company is still in the process of getting permits, so details about the location cannot be confirmed.
Dates for demolishing the existing building, construction and opening the Raising Cane’s restaurant have not been announced.
Dining and Cooking