Raising Cane's Alleges Landlord Threatens Eviction Over 'Chicken Finger Smells'

The restaurant chain claims it has spent $230,000 to minimize odors but the landlord continues to complain.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Raising Cane's, a popular chicken tender restaurant chain, has filed a lawsuit against its Boston landlord, 755 Boylston, LLC., alleging that the landlord is threatening to evict the restaurant due to the smell of 'chicken fingers.' The lawsuit claims Raising Cane's has spent $230,000 on efforts to minimize odors, but the landlord continues to complain about the smell.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tensions that can arise between restaurants and their landlords over issues like odors and noise. It also raises questions about the extent to which restaurants are required to eliminate all smells, and whether landlords can use odor complaints as a pretext to evict tenants they no longer want.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Raising Cane's signed a lease in March 2021 (amended in November 2022) that runs until at least 2037. The lease required the restaurant to 'use all reasonable efforts' to minimize odors. Raising Cane's claims it has spent $230,000 on measures like regularly cleaning the exhaust system, sealing vents, and cleaning the office space above the restaurant. However, the landlord has continued to complain about the 'chicken finger' smell and has threatened to evict Raising Cane's. The lawsuit also alleges the landlord is negotiating a lease with another restaurant, Panda Express, which would violate the exclusivity clause in Raising Cane's lease.

  • Raising Cane's signed the original lease in March 2021.
  • The lease was amended in November 2022.
  • On August 7, 2025, the landlord informed Raising Cane's it intended to lease space to Panda Express.
  • On January 8, 2026, Raising Cane's told the landlord it would no longer spend money on 'unreasonable demands' to address the odor.
  • On January 15, 2026, the landlord served Raising Cane's with a Notice of Termination and Notice to Quit.

The players

Raising Cane's

A popular chicken tender restaurant chain that is facing eviction from one of its Boston locations due to complaints about the smell of 'chicken fingers'.

755 Boylston, LLC.

The landlord of the Boston building where a Raising Cane's restaurant is located, who is threatening to evict the restaurant over the smell of chicken fingers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 Raising Cane's has implemented 'reasonable efforts' to minimize the restaurant odors, as required by the lease.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the challenges restaurants can face in balancing the needs of their business with the demands of their landlords. It raises questions about how much control landlords can exert over a tenant's operations, and whether odor complaints can be used as a pretext to evict unwanted tenants.