Raising Cane’s is a popular fast food chicken restaurant chain that is known for its breaded chicken fingers and signature Cane’s sauce. One of the things that makes Raising Cane’s unique is their use of nugget ice in their soft drinks. Nugget ice is a pellet-shaped, chewable type of ice that has become popular in recent years. Many Raising Cane’s customers enjoy the unique texture and flavor that nugget ice adds to their drinks. But does every Raising Cane’s location actually have nugget ice machines? Let’s take a closer look at the facts.
What is Nugget Ice?
Nugget ice is a special type of ice that is made by freezing water into small pellet shapes rather than solid cubes. The pellets are about a quarter inch in diameter and resemble circular ice cubes. Nugget ice has a soft, chewable texture and melts more slowly than regular cubed ice. This gives drinks a frosty texture without watering them down too quickly.
The nugget shape also allows more surface area for cooling drinks faster. Nugget ice machines work by freezing water through hollow tubes, which forms the small pellet shapes. This allows more air pockets within the ice for increased insulation and cooling power. The chewable pellets absorb flavors well and add an enjoyable new texture to soft drinks.
The Benefits of Nugget Ice
There are several benefits that nugget ice provides over traditional cubed ice:
- Chewable – The small pellets are easy to chew and playful in the mouth.
- Cools Drinks Faster – More surface area means faster cooling for drinks.
- Slow Melting – Drinks stay colder longer with less water dilution.
- Flavor Absorption – The pellets absorb and hold flavors well.
- Texture – Adds a fun, frosty texture to drinks.
- Insulation – Air pockets within the ice increase cooling power.
The sensory experience of nugget ice makes drinks more refreshing and enjoyable. The ice itself becomes part of the beverage experience.
The History of Nugget Ice
The origins of nugget ice machines date back to the early 1940s when an inventor named Eugene Groehl created an early patent for pellet ice. In the 1950s, the first commercial nugget ice makers were produced under the name SnoWizard Ice Machines. These vintage nugget makers used metal molds and gravity to form the small ice pellets.
In the 1980s, modern nugget ice gained popularity through companies like Scotsman Ice Systems and Mile High Equipment. They developed ice machines that efficiently froze ice pellets by running water through hollow tubes. This breakthrough made nugget ice more affordable for widespread commercial use.
In recent years, nugget ice has exploded in popularity due to specialty ice makers like GE’s Opal and kitchen gadgets that produce soft ice at home. Trendy cocktails and coffee shops have also made chewable ice more mainstream.
Raising Cane’s Use of Nugget Ice
Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves first encountered nugget ice at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. He was drawn to the unique texture and decided nugget ice would be the perfect pairing for Raising Cane’s signature chicken fingers and Cane’s sauce.
In 1996, Graves opened the first Raising Cane’s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, became one of the first quick-service restaurants to serve drinks exclusively with nugget ice. This unique ice helped provide a more enjoyable beverage experience and stand out from competitors. Raising Cane’s has continued this tradition as the chain has expanded across the country.
Most Raising Cane’s locations have dedicated nugget ice machines made by Scotsman Ice Systems. The kitchens are specially designed to accommodate these large ice makers. Having this specialty equipment allows each restaurant to serve fountain drinks, lemonade, and iced tea with crunchy, chewable nugget ice.
Does Every Location Have Nugget Ice?
The vast majority of Raising Cane’s restaurants are equipped with nugget ice machines and serve the signature ice pellet beverages. However, there are a few exceptions where locations may not have nugget ice capabilities.
Here are the key factors that determine whether a Raising Cane’s has nugget ice or not:
Newly Opened Locations
When a new Raising Cane’s location first opens, there can be a short delay before the specialty ice machines are installed and running. New restaurants may initially serve traditional cubed ice and then transition to nugget ice within the first few weeks of opening.
Limited Space Locations
Raising Cane’s restaurants located within malls, airports, colleges, and other limited space venues may not have room for large nugget ice machines. These locations often have customized kitchens and equipment. They may rely on standard ice cubes rather than nugget ice due to space restrictions.
Older Locations
Most older Raising Cane’s locations built before nugget ice gained popularity have been remodeled to install ice pellet machines. But some longtime restaurants from the 1990s and early 2000s may still be using traditional ice. Upgrading the kitchens and equipment in older locations is an ongoing process.
Equipment Malfunctions
If a location’s nugget ice machine breaks down or needs unexpected maintenance, the restaurant may need to temporarily revert to regular cubed ice until repairs are completed. But the nugget ice is usually back up and running after a short equipment outage.
Supply Chain Issues
Global supply chain disruptions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have caused some delays or shortages in specialty restaurant equipment like commercial nugget ice makers. In rare cases, restaurants may be waiting on delayed shipments and machinery installation.
How to Check if Your Local Cane’s Has Nugget Ice
If you want to confirm whether your nearby Raising Cane’s location serves drinks with crunchy nugget ice, there are a few ways to check:
- Ask in person – Request nugget ice or ask if the location normally has it when ordering at the counter.
- Call ahead – Phone the restaurant and inquire if they currently have nugget ice capabilities.
- Check receipts – Previous receipts will often indicate “nugget ice” on drink purchases if the location has it.
- Mobile order – When ordering online, nugget ice is typically listed as the default ice option if available.
- Social media – Some locations post on Facebook or Twitter when nugget ice machines are briefly down for maintenance.
Beyond these tips, it’s a good bet that the majority of Raising Cane’s – especially newer and updated locations – will have nugget ice ready to crunch and chew in your soft drinks. The unique ice pellet experience has become an expected part of Raising Cane’s signature beverages for customers.
Why Locations Offer Alternatives
On rare occasions when a Raising Cane’s is not able to serve nugget ice, there are some good reasons why:
- Opening delays – It takes time to install specialty equipment in new restaurants.
- Tight spaces – Older locations may not easily accommodate large ice machines.
- Remodeling phases – Upgrading equipment in stages can cause temporary changes.
- Machine malfunctions – Unexpected breakdowns can happen with any equipment.
- Maintenance needs – Regular cleaning and repairs can take machines offline briefly.
- Inventory issues – Global supply chain problems may delay certain appliances.
In these situations, locations will serve cubed ice as a short-term backup to ensure customers can still enjoy chilled beverages. Once nugget ice production is back online, the crunch returns to every cold drink.
The Customer Experience
The unique experience and enjoyment that nugget ice adds to drinks has become central to Raising Cane’s beverage brand. The ice itself enhances the meal and gives customers something fun to chew on. Locations want to highlight nugget ice as part of what makes their drinks special.
That’s why most restaurants today prominently advertise drinks as being served “Chews to be chewed!” and outfitted with “Chewy ice!” Communications like this set clear customer expectations that crunchy nugget ice will come standard in their cups.
When supply chain issues or equipment problems occur, restaurants try to be transparent with customers if cubed ice will be temporarily substituted. Menus may indicate “ice” vs. “nugget ice” and crew will share updates so customers understand why. The nugget ice experience customers love is the goal every location strives to provide.
The Future of Nugget Ice
While nugget ice availability may periodically be disrupted at a small percentage of locations, it continues to be a priority for Raising Cane’s. Expanding and upgrading kitchens to support specialized ice equipment is an ongoing initiative.
As nugget ice machines become more compact and energy efficient, they also become more feasible to incorporate in Raising Cane’s restaurants of all sizes and ages. New locations are designed from the ground up with ample nugget ice capacity.
Menu innovations may also take greater advantage of novel ice shapes and textures. Everything from new fountain drinks to alcoholic beverages to dessert shakes could potentially showcase nugget ice as a key ingredient.
Raising Cane’s commitment to serving the signature crunchy, chewable ice is only growing. The unique ice pellet experience customers love will continue to be an integral part of the expanding restaurant chain.
Conclusion
In summary, the vast majority of Raising Cane’s locations do serve drinks filled with nugget ice from specialty ice machines. The unique pellet shape and texture has become a brand standard that customers enjoy. However, a small percentage of restaurants may use traditional cubed ice in cases where equipment limitations or supply issues arise. If nugget ice availability at a given location is important, it is easy to check ahead by phone, online order, or asking in person to confirm. But crunchy beverage ice is likely not far away at most Raising Cane’s near you.