The opening included speeches from President of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Tim Daman and East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon.

In his speech, Bacon thanked Michigan State University students for anchoring the event, as well as everyone involved in bringing the restaurant to East Lansing.

“We're looking forward to having something that in the space, leads to more and more as we fill out our downtown because we really appreciate you. We'll be here for you,” Bacon said.

Before the ribbon cutting, 20 customers were drawn to receive free Raising Cane’s chicken for a year. The first 100 customers were also given a T-shirt.

Raising Cane's regional leader of restaurants Jenn Szwec said the support from the community exceeded expectations.

“To the patience, everybody who's waiting in line, everything that the community has done to support this restaurant, getting it where it is in this moment,” Szwec said. “Remember that this is this restaurant’s moment because they're making history as the first restaurant in Michigan.”

Communications senior Sam Volk was the first customer to line up for the opening. He arrived at 3:45 p.m. yesterday. 

Having tried Raising Cane’s before, he decided he wanted to be to first at the East Lansing location.

“I thought it would be cool to be the first customer in line in East Lansing,” Volk said. “It's a story I can tell for a long time.”

Volk said he was the only one in line for a few hours, with more customers joining him around 8 p.m. yesterday.

Human biology senior Ashley Jaglowski and kinesiology senior Emily Riddle lined up around 3 a.m., taking shifts throughout the night so the other could nap at home. They said they are looking forward to chicken and the late-night operation hours of the restaurant.

Cane’s presented a check for $1,000 to MSU Athletics, and said they look forward to continuing their relationship with the university.

The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday to Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.