Cava debuts in Minnesota with milestone opening

Fast-casual Mediterranean dining chain Cava has reached a key milestone in its expansion efforts.

The company has reached 500 locations following the opening of its newest restaurant in Minneapolis, which also marked its Minnesota debut. Founded in 2011, Cava’s footprint now spans 30 states and Washington D.C.

Minnesota is just the latest new market for Cava’s expansion. The chain opened its first Ohio location in March, and made its debut in Michigan and Indiana last year.

Cava says its long-term goal is to reach 1,000 total restaurants by 2032, adding that its development strategy maintains a “balanced pipeline” across established, in-fill and greenfield markets in suburban and urban areas.

“Reaching 500 restaurants is a defining moment for Cava and a reflection of how far we’ve come,” said Brett Schulman, co-founder and CEO of Cava. “It represents the passion of more than 15,000 Cava team members, the strength of the brand we have built together, and the deep connection our food and hospitality have created with guests across the country. As we look ahead, we remain focused on thoughtfully scaling Cava while bringing bold Mediterranean flavors, warm hospitality, and a spirit of generosity to even more communities.”