Smithtown OKs site plan for Raising Cane's in Commack

The Town of Smithtown has approved plans for a Raising Cane’s restaurant to open up in Commack, replacing a former McDonald’s.

With the town board's unanimous site plan approval, the national chicken fingers chain edged closer to opening what could possibly be its first Long Island location on the corner of Vanderbilt Parkway and Commack Road. Plans are under review for locations in Carle Place and East Farmingdale, Newsday previously reported.

Raising Cane’s confirmed to Newsday in late November that the company had filed plans for the Commack location.

The chain can start construction after town building permits are approved, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said after the board's meeting on Dec. 2. The board's vote was 5-0.

The site plan submitted by Raising Cane’s calls for a one-story, 3,500-square-foot building. The restaurant would have 45 indoor seats, as well as a drive-thru area, a curb ramp and bicycle racks. A 570-square-foot outdoor area will have 17 seats, among other features, according to town documents.

The board also approved a resolution indicating the plan will not have an adverse effect on the environment, waiving the need for a more extensive study.

Nearby in Commack, McDonald’s is planning to build a new 43-seat restaurant at a shopping center on Crooked Hill Road. The town approved the site plan for that location in October.

A Raising Cane’s spokeswoman said in a statement that pending the town's permitting and approval process, the chain aims to open "in late 2026."

In April, the Town of North Hempstead approved site plans for a Raising Cane's at Old Country Road in Carle Place. The restaurant would be located on property where catering hall Chateau Briand had operated for decades. Raising Cane's recently applied in the Town of Babylon to open in East Farmingdale, replacing a Houlihan's.

Wehrheim said the new Raising Cane’s chain would be a welcome addition, especially since it would take the place of a McDonald’s.

“The last thing we want is a closed-down McDonald’s; so when a new business opens, it’s a good thing,” Wehrheim said.