Popular Chicken Chain Takes Over Landmark Sunset Boulevard Spot
Raising Cane’s, the fast-growing chicken finger chain headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has announced plans to open a new Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard, occupying the site of the recently closed Arby’s near the 101 Freeway. This particular location is a recognizable piece of Los Angeles’ commercial landscape, made famous by its cowboy hat-shaped neon sign, a towering retro emblem that has loomed over Sunset for decades.
The former Arby’s location, which closed its doors in June 2024 after 55 years of continuous operation, had long been a favorite among locals and travelers alike. In the months following its closure, the building temporarily hosted a Prince Street Pizza pop-up, attracting foodies while plans for permanent tenancy were developed. Now, Raising Cane’s has stepped in, signaling yet another step in its aggressive expansion throughout California.
Plans for Renovation and Expansion
The new Raising Cane’s location will undergo extensive renovations before opening, with plans to expand both indoor and outdoor dining spaces, upgrade the existing kitchen and service areas, and give the structure a fresh, modernized aesthetic aligned with the brand’s visual identity. The location will retain a drive-thru, a key feature in the company’s strategy for high-volume urban locations, especially in traffic-heavy Los Angeles.
One major point of local nostalgia—the iconic cowboy hat sign—will not remain as part of the restaurant’s final design. Despite its status as a visual landmark and beloved oddity, the sign does not qualify as a historic landmark, meaning it can be legally removed. Raising Cane’s confirmed that Arby’s corporate may take possession of the sign for potential relocation or preservation, though no definitive plans have been made public. The potential loss of the sign has sparked some sadness among preservationists and longtime residents, though it hasn’t generated the level of outcry seen in previous commercial redevelopment efforts.
A Cautious Step After Norms Controversy
Raising Cane’s announcement follows a failed attempt in early 2023 to take over the historic Norms restaurant site on La Cienega Boulevard, a move that triggered significant public backlash and resulted in the deal being scrapped. Preservation advocates and residents expressed concern that Raising Cane’s was endangering Los Angeles’s mid-century architectural heritage, particularly when the Norms building—considered a Googie-style icon—faced potential demolition.
Learning from that experience, the company has taken a more measured approach with the Sunset Boulevard project. While the cowboy hat remains a point of contention, the location’s lack of historic protection has minimized public resistance, making this transition far smoother than its previous endeavor.
California Expansion Strategy
This new Hollywood outlet represents a key step in Raising Cane’s broader California growth strategy. The company has rapidly expanded across the state in recent years, opening locations in San Diego, Orange County, Sacramento, and now, central Los Angeles. With California representing one of the nation’s largest fast-food markets, Raising Cane’s is positioning itself as a go-to destination for chicken lovers in highly visible and high-traffic areas.
The Sunset Boulevard location, given its prominence and proximity to both tourist foot traffic and commuter routes, is expected to become a flagship site for the brand. The company has stated that the location will open in late summer or early fall of 2026, allowing ample time for construction, permitting, and design customization.
Looking Ahead
As Raising Cane’s prepares to renovate the Sunset site, its arrival in Hollywood will bring fresh energy to a storied location, even as it closes the book on a beloved piece of LA fast-food history. While the future of the cowboy hat sign remains uncertain, the project as a whole reflects the continuing evolution of Los Angeles’s urban foodscape—where nostalgia, brand growth, and community sentiment often intersect in unpredictable ways.
Source:
SFGATE – Raising Cane’s to Open at Former Arby’s Site in Hollywood
