Raising Cane's, the Louisiana-based fast-food chain, is suing its landlord in Boston over an eviction threat linked to the smell of chicken fingers. The restaurant claims the eviction notice is part of an 'extortionate scheme' to force it to give up exclusive operating rights.
In a complaint filed in Suffolk County Superior Court last month, Raising Cane's alleges that landlord 755 Boylston LLC served a notice of termination and notice to quit in January, claiming cooking odours—particularly the scent of its signature chicken fingers—constituted 'offensive and/or nuisance odors'. The restaurant argues the smell was never defined as a lease violation and that it has spent more than $200,000 on mitigation efforts, including exhaust system inspections, charcoal odour-control filters and sealing vents.
According to the suit, a consultant found that odours were exacerbated by negative air pressure drawing air into an office space above. Raising Cane's also contends the landlord's real motive is tied to an exclusivity clause in the lease that bars other restaurants from selling deboned chicken without consent. The lawsuit alleges 755 Boylston LLC has been in talks to lease adjacent space to Panda Express and pressured Raising Cane's to waive its exclusive rights. When it refused, the eviction notice followed.
Raising Cane's is seeking a court ruling that it has not breached its lease and wants damages for 'unfair and deceptive' business practices. A spokesperson said: 'We’re Chicken Finger fanatics - litigation is not what we do. We hate that we’re in this position and haven’t been able to come to terms with our landlord.' The statement added: 'We believe this situation can be resolved amicably.'
Founded in 1996, Raising Cane's operates more than 940 restaurants across 45 states and Washington D.C., with plans to open over 30 new locations this year.
