The push and pull between local businesses and chains in Athens

Photo via Marc Goldstein/The New Political

This article was include as part of The New Political’s 2025 Fall Print.

Sometime in spring 2025, under the guise of nighttime in Athens, an unnamed and unknown source decided to make a statement. That statement was a spray-painted message on the boarded-up windows at the active construction site at 63 S Court Street: “Keep Athens local.” That message sends a loud signal to the community that is echoed by many. 

One thing is increasingly clear: this tug-of-war between restaurants is not just about chicken. The battle for the eyes — and stomachs —of Athens residents is more indicative of a larger trend in America. Whether that is good or bad varies, depending upon whose opinion is being requested. However, situations like the one brewing on Court Street are not going anywhere, nor are they new to the area. 

Kevin McNamara opened Hot Box Chicken Fingers and Tots a week before Thanksgiving 2024. The building he occupies with his business, 74 N Court Street, needed a lot of renovation, pushing the opening of Hot Box back nearly two years after McNamara signed the lease. The biggest thing that McNamara, who owned and operated restaurants in Cleveland previously, had to learn was the tendencies of his main demographic of customers: college students. 

“We didn’t know what the crowd would look like after 2 a.m. after the bars closed,” said McNamara. “It was a lot of learning…The biggest goal I had for the first year was not only to serve the best food possible because I knew Raising Cane’s was coming. I wanted to establish some distance between us and a potential competitor.”

McNamara’s reference to Raising Cane’s coming to town is something that has also been in the works for years. When Wendy’s left Court Street in 2020, the only chain businesses in Uptown Athens were Chipotle, Subway, Insomnia Cookies, Domino’s and Starbucks. Considering two of those storefronts, Subway and Insomnia Cookies, are rather small, they did not have a major impact on businesses in Athens. Additionally, Chipotle’s unique menu made it different from other Mexican restaurants, such as Big Mama’s Burritos, in town. There have not been two businesses that serve the same food sharing Uptown Athens in quite some time. That changed on October 7 when Raising Cane’s opened its doors at 63 S Court Street. 

Raising Cane’s was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was opened on the campus of Louisiana State University, putting its target demographic on full display from the start. Like Hot Box, the business specializes in chicken tenders and fries. This simple yet celebrated menu is one of the reasons it continues to open locations across the country. There are over 900 Raising Cane’s locations across the United States, but none in Southeast Ohio. The closest one before the opening in Athens was in Lancaster. Sam Pope, area leader of restaurants, underscores the fact that Raising Cane’s strategically chose to come to Athens. 

“I think the community is a really good fit for us,” said Pope. “With the university here, we really have our core demographic and we're right in the heart of (Athens). We also don't have a spot in Southeast Ohio. We don't have a foothold down here yet, and I think it's a great spot for us to continue our growth.”

That growth sees Raising Cane’s opening over 100 locations per year, according to Pope. Additionally, he mentions that the community was a major factor in solidifying the move to Athens. The presence of Ohio University only strengthened that desire to come to Athens, as Pope explains. 

McNamara and his staff at Hot Box remain fearless in their desire to remain a competitor with the giant of the fast-service chicken sector. He mentions the menu flexibility and different marketing campaigns he has done to put his name out there to the students and Athens residents alike. McNamara references the billboard he placed on I-33 that pokes fun at Raising Cane’s coming to town by stating that Athens is the global headquarters for Hot Box. 

“It doesn’t change anything,” said McNamara. “It’s actually motivating me to really double down on the uniqueness of what we do.”

Doubling down on the community aspect, Pope wants to become a large part of the Athens community. He says he “wants to get to know the community and vice versa.” Moreover, Pope understands that the Athens community does not solely lie in Uptown Athens. Reaching the greater Athens community, the full-time residents that do not attend the college in town, will be one of his biggest challenges. 

One thing that Raising Cane’s brings that Hot Box simply cannot is a large amount of money. A corporate entity like Raising Cane’s can help Ohio U with regard to fundraising, similar to what it does at Ohio State with its athletics department and academic scholarships. It also employs a lot of people in Athens, something that the community desperately needs, as an unnamed Raising Cane’s representative detailed. 

“We pride ourselves on being ingrained in every community we serve,” said the Raising Cane’s representative. “Our restaurant leaders are always local to the communities where they operate, which helps ensure we’re true neighbors who understand and care about the people we serve every day. Each new restaurant we open creates over a hundred local jobs and career opportunities for residents, including our new Athens location…Being a great community partner is part of who we are — it’s not just about serving (food), but about building lasting relationships in the neighborhoods we call home.”

Pope is sure to explain that Raising Cane’s will boost the economy for all the businesses in Athens. He calls Raising Cane’s “a draw” and ensures the new business in Athens will not “disrupt business and the flow” in Athens. 

Still, there is no denying the fact that a chain restaurant making its way to town does not bode well for an existing small restaurant. That does not change anything for McNamara, though. He feels confident in his staff and the connections he has forged over the first couple of months of being open. 

“Food is the fabric of the college community,” said McNamara. 

The two businesses are rather similar. Both serve, generally speaking, the same thing. Both are open late, allowing customers to stop in after bars and other social gatherings end. However, the differences are also very real: one has a near-endless supply of resources while the other is the first and only location. In the end, the consumers will decide how they want to spend their money. 

That being said, the big company vs. small business debate will continue to rage on as long as the two restaurants are open in Athens, creating intrigue from consumers and employees alike.