Cava is a rapidly expanding, fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant brand operated by Cava Group, Inc., which also acquired Zoe’s Kitchen in 2018. As of 2025, Cava operates approximately 382 locations across 26 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and has ambitious plans to reach 1,000 restaurants by 2032, with 62–68 new openings expected in 2025 alone. The brand’s average unit volume is approximately $2.9 million, placing it among the top performers in the fast-casual sector. Cava’s real estate strategy is land-intensive and focuses on high-visibility, high-access suburban and urban sites, often repurposing former Zoe’s Kitchen locations or developing ground-up units tailored to off-premise effi