Staffing

Cava hiring over 2,500 employees

Source: Cava

June 10, 2026

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Washington, D.C.-based Cava is expanding its workforce and career development initiatives through its Flavor Your Future platform.

The fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain said it plans to hire at least 2,500 employees during the remainder of 2026 to support the opening of 75 restaurants. The announcement comes less than a month after the company reaffirmed its goal of reaching 1,000 locations by 2032 during its first-quarter earnings call.

Cava, which recently took the top spot on Fast Casual's list of Top 100 Movers & Shakers, also said it has exceeded its goal of filling more than 150 assistant general manager positions since launching the role, with nearly 60% of the positions filled through internal promotions. Introduced in late 2025, the position is designed to support daily operations, develop teams and prepare employees for leadership roles as the company grows.

In addition, general managers are now eligible for long-term equity incentive grants, allowing them to share in the company's performance. The company tied incentives to hiring and promotion outcomes for general managers as part of its leadership development strategy.

Cava is also launching a marketing campaign featuring employee stories that highlight career advancement opportunities within the company. The campaign will run across social, digital and company-owned channels throughout 2026.