The new chicken wars are here, and they’re bigger than Popeyes vs. Chick-fil-A

A surge of upstarts is reshaping the category with extreme spice, niche menus, and cult-brand energy.

When Raising Cane’s recently opened its first-ever location in Meridian, Idaho, it wasn’t a particularly remarkable event for the restaurant chain. The fast-growing chicken purveyor also opened six other restaurants in five other states on the exact same day in November. It aims to open close to 100 new stores this year.