A Raising Cane's restaurant in Boston has filed a lawsuit against its landlord, alleging wrongful eviction threats over the smell of chicken fingers, which the chain claims is a pretext in a larger lease dispute. The complaint, filed in Suffolk County Superior Court last month, accuses landlord 755 Boylston LLC of an "extortionate scheme" to pressure the restaurant into waiving its exclusive operating rights.
Eviction Notice Over Chicken Odors
According to the lawsuit, the landlord served a notice of termination and notice to quit in January, asserting that the restaurant's cooking odors, particularly from its signature chicken fingers, constituted "offensive and/or nuisance odors." Raising Cane's argues that these smells were never defined as a lease violation and that it has made extensive efforts to mitigate them.
Mitigation Efforts and Lease Terms
The lease, signed in 2021 and later amended, permits Raising Cane's to prepare and sell fried chicken meals but requires "reasonable efforts" to minimize odors. The restaurant states it has invested over $200,000 in exhaust system inspections, charcoal odor-control filters, and sealing vents to comply. A consultant reportedly found that odors were worsened by negative air pressure drawing air into an office space above the restaurant.
Exclusivity Clause at the Heart of the Dispute
Raising Cane's contends that the landlord's true motive is linked to an exclusivity clause in the lease, which prohibits other restaurants from selling deboned chicken without consent. The lawsuit alleges that 755 Boylston LLC has been negotiating to lease adjacent space to Panda Express and pressured Raising Cane's to relinquish its exclusive rights. After the restaurant refused, it received the eviction notice.
Legal Action and Company Response
Raising Cane's is seeking a court ruling that it has not breached its lease and is pursuing damages for what it describes as "unfair and deceptive" business practices. A spokesperson for Raising Cane's emphasized in a statement that litigation is not their preference, expressing hope for an amicable resolution. They highlighted the restaurant's popularity in the Boston community and its employment of hundreds of crew members across the area.
Background and Expansion Plans
Founded in Baton Rouge by Todd Graves in 1996, Raising Cane's now operates more than 940 restaurants across 45 states and Washington D.C. The chain plans to open over 30 new locations this year in states including Colorado, Idaho, Tennessee, Alabama, Arizona, and New Jersey. A spokesperson previously indicated that the company aims to expand to over 1,600 restaurants in the U.S.
