Come fly with me: An extra day due to the leap year and activities surrounding the United States Bowling Congress Open Championship ongoing in Baton Rouge led to a nearly 20% increase in passengers at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport in February, says airport spokesman Jim Caldwell. A total of 63,895 travelers passed through BTR in February. Departing passengers accounted for 31,700 of February passengers (a 19% increase), while those arriving in Baton Rouge slightly outnumbered them, at 32,165 (a 20.5% increase). Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up a hair below 14%. United Airlines had the biggest year-over-year passenger gain at BTR in February, up 37%, followed by US Airways, up 34%. Delta continues to have the highest passenger share at the airport, with United a close second.
The sun’s not yellow, it’s chicken: Since celebrating its 100th restaurant in June, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers has already opened 21 more. It’s that kind of growth that has Raising Cane’s ranked No. 8 on industry analyst Technomic’s list of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States. According to the list, Raising Cane’s generated $206 million in sales last year, up 18.2% from 2010. The Baton Rouge-based chicken finger franchise has locations in 16 states, and several more under construction in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. Topping the list is Five Guys Burgers and Fries, with $951 million in sales—an annual increase of roughly 33%. See the full list here.
Where there’s smoke: State police are reporting a fire at Westlake Vinyls chemical plant on La. Highway 73 in Geismar. Trooper Russell Graham tells The Associated Press reports of vinyl chloride release have been received. Details as of press time were limited, with a general description of the fire as being “large” and involving several chemicals. Check Daily Report PM for further details.
