Raising Cane's sues Boston landlord over 'offensive' chicken odor

The fast-food chain claims the landlord is trying to evict them over the smell of their signature chicken fingers.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Raising Cane's, a popular fast-food chain known for its chicken fingers, has filed a lawsuit against its Boston landlord, 755 Boylston LLC. The landlord is allegedly threatening to evict the restaurant over complaints about an 'offensive' chicken odor that has spread throughout the building. Raising Cane's argues it has spent $230,000 on mitigation efforts, including exhaust cleanings and sealed vents, to address the smell, but the landlord continues to complain. The lawsuit also alleges the landlord is negotiating with another restaurant that would violate Raising Cane's exclusive rights to sell deboned chicken at the location.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the challenges restaurants can face when dealing with landlords over issues like odors, noise, and exclusivity clauses. As Raising Cane's continues its rapid expansion, this legal battle could set a precedent for how the chain handles similar situations in the future. The outcome of the case could also impact the broader restaurant industry, as landlords and tenants navigate the complexities of operating in shared commercial spaces.

The details

According to court filings, Raising Cane's signed a lease for the Boston location in March 2021, which was amended in November 2022 to run through at least 2037. The lease requires the chain to use 'all reasonable efforts' to mitigate odors and noise. Raising Cane's claims it has spent $230,000 on mitigation efforts, including exhaust system cleanings, sealed vents, and a $34,000 cleaning for the upstairs offices. However, the landlord continues to complain about the 'offensive' chicken smell, and has threatened to evict the restaurant. The lawsuit also alleges the landlord is negotiating with Panda Express to lease adjacent space, which would violate Raising Cane's exclusive rights to sell deboned chicken at the address without the chain's approval.

  • Raising Cane's signed the original lease in March 2021.
  • The lease was amended in November 2022 to run through at least 2037.
  • On August 7, 2025, the landlord notified Raising Cane's of plans to lease adjacent space to Panda Express.
  • On January 8, 2026, Raising Cane's told the landlord it was done paying for what it called 'unreasonable demands' about the chicken odor.
  • In late January 2026, the landlord delivered a Notice of Termination and Notice to Quit, claiming the restaurant was emitting 'offensive' and 'nuisance' smells.

The players

Raising Cane's

A popular fast-food chain known for its chicken fingers, with over 800 locations across 44 states.

755 Boylston LLC

The landlord of the Boston property where Raising Cane's operates a restaurant.

Panda Express

A fast-food restaurant chain that the landlord is allegedly negotiating with to lease adjacent space, which would violate Raising Cane's exclusive rights.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Raising Cane's spokesperson (People)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow Raising Cane's to continue operating at the Boston location or if the landlord can proceed with the eviction.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the complexities that can arise when restaurants and landlords have differing views on issues like odors and exclusivity clauses. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar conflicts are handled in the future, with potential implications for the broader restaurant industry.