Food & Beverage

CAVA reaches 500 restaurant milestone with Minneapolis opening

Source: CAVA

September 25, 2026

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Fast-casual Mediterranean brand CAVA has reached 500 restaurants with the opening of its newest location in Minneapolis, marking the Washington, D.C.-based company's entry into Minnesota.

The restaurant, at 622 Washington Ave. S.E., opened Sept. 23. CAVA said new restaurant productivity remains above 100%, with restaurants generating more than $3 million in average annualized sales, according to a press release.

The company said it is ahead of its development schedule and expects to surpass its goal of 1,000 restaurants by 2032. Its expansion strategy calls for a combination of entering new markets, building density in existing markets and investing in the people and infrastructure needed to support growth.

CAVA also is expanding its workforce. More than 15,000 employees work for the company, which expects that number to exceed 30,000 by 2032.

Chief Development Officer Jeff Gaul said the company's development strategy is designed to support growth while maintaining consistency across its restaurants.

"Every opening requires tremendous coordination across teams to identify the right location, design and build the restaurant, and prepare it to become part of a new community," he said in the release.

CAVA opened its first fast casual location in Rockville, Maryland, in 2011. The company operates restaurants in 30 states and Washington, D.C.