‘Fake’: Australians duped by viral Raising Cane’s announcement

Millions of excited Aussies are about to see red as news.com.au reveals the truth about the viral Raising Cane’s social media announcement.

A popular American fast-food chain has confirmed it is not opening in Australia after false claims flooded social media on the weekend.

Raising Cane’s, which specialises in fried chicken fingers, has dashed the hopes of Aussies after a string of videos announcing the cult restaurant arrival Down Under amassed millions of views on TikTok.

“It’s official, Raising Cane’s is coming to Australia in 2025,” one video read.

“We’ve all seen how much you’ve wanted us to come down under and we delivered! Thank you all for the support and we can’t wait to serve in Australia,” another said.

The clips, posted from an account called “officialraisingcanesaus” and set to footage showing the brand’s famous fried chicken pieces and chips, listed multiple NSW, VIC, SA and QLD locations set to open in 2025 and quickly went viral.

Many Aussies were thrilled by the news, with some even sharing their own videos to alert friends and followers – but there was one problem. It’s not true.

“As we expand across the world, we’re continually looking at global destinations and popular cities in which to open Raising Cane’s,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“We love the energy and excitement Raising Cane’s has garnered across Australia, but don’t currently have plans to open restaurants there.

“Any TikTok videos announcing Raising Cane’s coming to Australia or mentioning specific opening dates and locations are fake and not from our verified Cane’s account.”

Manny Aussies have been duped by ‘fake’ announcement from American chicken chain Raising Cane’s. Picture: TikTok/@mikaylaportelli

Videos declaring the fried chicken joint was opening restaurants in Australia were false but amassed millions of views. Picture: TikTok/@mikaylaportelli

Among the frenzy of excitement, there were some Australians who smelled a rat, pointing out the videos had come from an unverified source.

“This is fake guys, they’ve taken the video from the Raising Cane’s TikTok and edited it,” one warned.

“All fake guys, I’ve seen five different Raising Cane’s Australia accounts,” another agreed.

But it did nothing to prevent many Aussies losing their minds at the apparent good news, with some declaring it was the “best news”.

“Wait, OMG no way I’ve always wanted to try them,” one said.

“Legit the best news ever,” declared another.

“Cannot wait,” mused one more.

Others expressed anger the chain wasn’t opening a restaurant near them.

“Tasmania forgotten again,” one raged.

“What the flip I’m crying in Perth,” someone else stated.

As another lamented: “Everywhere but where I live in Australia.”

‘Any TikTok videos announcing Raising Cane’s coming to Australia or mentioning specific opening dates and locations are fake,’ the brand told news.com.au. Picture: Supplied

One duped influencer who was so excited by the news even shared their own video, captioned: “Public service announcement, Raising Cane’s in Australia.”

In the clip, shared by @mikaylaportelli, a man can be seen almost shaking with delight as he watches one of the fake videos, completely unaware of the truth.

“Raising Cane’s is coming to Narre Warren,” he states, showing his phone to the camera when asked “what is happening?”

He then proceeds to cover his face in shock before placing his head on the table in front of him.

“Who’s gonna tell him?” one savvy user commented.

“Ima hold your hand when I tell you this,” another said.

Others were equally as fooled, revealing they’d had “the same reaction”.

The cult restaurant is famed for its chicken fingers and special sauce. Picture: Instagram

Melbourne food blogger @AngeEats said there were many who fell for the lie – including him.

“I am extremely disappointed as when I first saw the videos I thought my dreams had come true,” he told news.com.au.

“It would have been amazing if Canes were coming to Australia permanently or even as a pop up as the Australian community are going crazy on social media for the ‘dupes’.

“Australians are mad crazy for Canes and they would absolutely love it if it was here in Australia – even just for one day. Still can’t believe I fell for this.”

Raising Cane’s opened its first restaurant in Louisiana back in 1996, but now has 749 restaurants across the US.

The chain has grown in popularity in recent years due to the high praise it receives over its chicken tenders and home made sauce.

The menu contains several different combinations of chicken tenders meals, which include fries, sauce, and a piece of Texas toast.

While Raising Cane’s isn’t coming to Australia, a western Sydney restaurant went viral after Aussies compared it to the American chicken chain in January.

Flappy’s, which is based in Penrith, has a larger menu range that includes tenders, fried mushroom sandwiches, potato and gravy, potato toast, onion rings and of course fries.