Ford Road Friday’s could be replaced by chicken finger spot

A chicken fingers-focused chain restaurant that prides itself on giving back to the community could be coming to a crazy-busy location Canton Township — and, no, it’s not the one that features cows in its TV ads.

A public hearing was held Sept. 11 during the Canton Township Planning Commission’s regularly-scheduled meeting to listen to the pros and cons of a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers fast-food drive-through restaurant being constructed at the site of the long-standing T.G.I. Friday’s on Ford Road, just east of Sheldon Road.

If the proposal is ultimately approved by the planning commission and the township’s board of trustees, the existing Friday’s structure would be demolished to make room for the new Raising Cane’s location.

Chicken finger heaven

Launched in 1996 by Todd Graves, Raising Cane’s menu offers five chicken fingers meal options, with extras — crinkle cut fries, Texas Toast, cole slaw — and drinks.

Raising Cane’s’ first Michigan location opened in East Lansing in 2022 and has earned rave online reviews.

“We serve only the highest quality chicken finger meals,” the chain’s website promises. “It’s our ONE LOVE. Our crew makes it happen, our culture makes it unique, and the community makes it all worthwhile.”

Friday’s popularity waning

The Friday’s restaurant chain has struggled mightily since 2020. A report in the U.S. Sun revealed the once-popular chain was closing a minimum of 20% of its 386 locations due to declining sales.

The Canton Ford Road location was often packed during its pre-pandemic heyday, due in part to a prime location on bustling Ford Road.

Action on the proposal was deferred to a later date by the planning commission, which expressed concerns regarding the number of cars that could line up in the drive-thru near an already busy intersection.

There are no plans in the works for Friday’s to close until a final decision is made on the Raising Cane’s proposal.