Cava is plotting an ambitious expansion across the US. It opened 72 restaurants last year.I visited the Mediterranean salad chain’s first Chicago restaurant and had to wait for an hour to order.But the ingredients were very flavorful and there was a lot of choice. Here’s what my experience was like.
Cava, the Mediterranean build-your-own-bowl chain, is plotting an ambitious expansion across the US.
It opened 72 net new restaurants in fiscal 2023 and expects to open at least 50 in 2024. About 90% of new openings will be in suburban areas, away from the traditional office hubs you might associate with chains like Cava that sell quick, healthy lunches ideal for desk-workers.
At the start of 2022, Cava had 164 restaurants. As of 21 April, 2024, it had 323 restaurants, including the conversion of many Zoës Kitchen locations.
I visited one of Cava’s restaurants to see what the hype was about.