CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Fencing is up along the lower portion of the Hobby Lobby parking lot on Greenback Lane and site clearance has begun as the asphalt parking lot is being torn up and trees have been felled to build a new Raising Cane’s Chicken Finger fast-food restaurant at 7800 Greenback Lane.

Last December, the Citrus Heights Planning Commission approved construction plans for the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Raising Cane’s in a new building to be built in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby at Greenback Lane and Birdcage Court.

Raising Cane’s is a fast-food chain that specializes in chicken finger meals. The company emphasizes a limited menu which helps them produce high quality food that is served quickly.

The restaurant project is being developed by property owner Lawrence Lipp of JFL, LLC, in Carmichael. PM Design Group of American Canyon is the project applicant. Representatives for both the property owner and PM Design Group were unavailable for comment. A construction site manager at the Greenback site said completion of the Citrus Heights restaurant is expected this fall.

“The applicant (PM Design Group) has been issued their design review permit and use permits by the Citrus Heights Planning Department,” said Nichole Baxter, city communications director.

According to recent news accounts, Raising Cane's, which was founded in 1996, has at least three other local sites in the works. In all, Raising Cane’s currently has more than 530 restaurants in 28 states and according to a press release provided by the company, it is actively pursuing new locations in Davis, Roseville, Natomas, Elk Grove, Tahoe Park, downtown/midtown, west Sacramento and Manteca. The chain has also earned recognition by Thrillist as the “Best Chicken Tenders” in America back in 2020.

Plan designs filed with the City of Citrus Heights planning department describe a 3,172-square-foot fast food drive-thru with a 188 square-foot outdoor covered patio outside a 36,566 square foot, stand-alone building. The proposed building design shown in plan drawings, is a single-story contemporary structure, using stucco with brick and metal accents.

The project will include dual drive-thru lanes with capacity for 21 vehicles. Vehicles will enter the new restaurant from entrances via Greenback Lane to the northeast or Birdcage Street from the southwest.

To alleviate traffic concerns, project plans feature a physical modification to Greenback Lane which includes construction of a raised, colored concrete median. Installation of a “No U-Turn sign, and “Keep Clear” striping at the Birdcage Street entrance is included in the plans to prevent any blockage of turn movements into the restaurant.

Raising Cane’s is now hiring an operations manager, general and assistant managers for its new Citrus Heights location. Applicants can go to jobs.raisingcanes.com for more information.