Here's when Raising Cane's will open

PERKINS TWP. — With many people clucking about when a new chicken restaurant could open up, a company executive gave a definitive answer. "It is slated to open Sept. 14," said Russell Ford, a spokesman for Raising Cane's corporate office. Ford directly reached out to the Register following an Aug. 2 news story. The article highlighted Cane's encountering a delay in opening its first Sandusky-area location. Originally scheduled to debut by mid-July, Raising Cane's executives recently told Perkins Township officials they must push back a grand opening. "They said the main driver causing the delay is staffing issues with the labor shortage in the area," said township zoning inspector Melanie Murray, noting construction work recently completed on its restaurant building. About three weeks ago, Ohio's job reporting system revealed how Erie County — for the third consecutive month — has the state's highest unemployment rate. June's figures totaled 8.7% of those out of work. Raising Cane's invested $1.5 million to build a restaurant beside Mad River Harley-Davidson, Murray said. The franchise represents a multimillion-dollar chain restaurant, operating more than 500 locations worldwide. It offers chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and its signature Cane's sauce.