Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 23, 2026

Cava Group

Cava, also referred to as Cava Grill, is an American Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain with locations across the United States. Cava is owned by the publicly traded Cava Group, which purchased Zoës Kitchen in August 2018. The combined company is the largest restaurant operator in the Mediterranean category in the U.S. restaurant industry. Cava also produces a line of Mediterranean cava dips, spreads, and dressings that are sold in grocery stores across the US. As of May 2023, all Zoës Kitchen restaurants have been closed or replaced by Cava restaurants.

Last revised
Jun 23, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
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Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
Cava Group, Inc.
Company type
Public
IndustryRestaurants
GenreFast Casual
Founded2006 (2006) (as Cava Mezze) in
Rockville, Maryland, U.S.
Founders
  • Ted Xenohristos
  • Ike Grigoropoulos
  • Dimitri Moshovitis
  • Brett Schulman
Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
,
United States
Number of locations
382 (2025)
Area served
United States
Key people
  • Ted Xenohristos (Chief Concept Officer)
  • Brett Schulman (CEO)1
RevenueIncrease US$954 million2 (2024)
Number of employees
c. 11,0002 (2024)
Websitecava.com

Cava (stylized as CAVA), also referred to as Cava Grill, is an American Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain with locations across the United States. Cava is owned by the publicly traded Cava Group, which purchased Zoës Kitchen in August 2018.34 The combined company is the largest restaurant operator in the Mediterranean category in the U.S. restaurant industry.5 Cava also produces a line of Mediterranean cava dips, spreads, and dressings that are sold in grocery stores across the US.637 As of May 2023, all Zoës Kitchen restaurants have been closed or replaced by Cava restaurants.

Cava restaurant in Washington D.C.'s Union Station source ↗

History

In 2006, first-generation Greek Americans Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos, and Dimitri Moshovitis launched the full-service Cava Mezze restaurant in Rockville, Maryland, with Moshovitis as executive chef.378 In 2008, Xenohristos, Grigoropoulos, and Moshovitis partnered with Geoff Maites and Kenny Maites to launch a line of dips and spreads, and grew the product line into over 200 stores, including Whole Foods Market.91011 In 2009, Brett Schulman joined them as CEO and co-founder of the fast-casual chain Cava (originally called Cava Mezze Grill, later rebranded as Cava Grill and then simply as Cava).81012 They opened the first Cava restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland, in January 2011.1013

In August 2018, Zoës was acquired by Cava Group, Inc. for $300 million in total enterprise value.14

In April 2021, Cava Group completed a $190 million series F funding round led by T. Rowe Price, bringing its value to nearly $1.3 billion.15 Since 2015, the company has raised more than $640 million.16

By December 2022, the Cava Group had significantly reduced the number of Zoe's Kitchen locations. As of May 2023, all Zoe's Kitchen restaurants had closed, and many had been replaced by Cava restaurants.

On June 15, 2023, Cava made its public debut on the NYSE under the symbol CAVA.17

Restaurants and expansion

Cava restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland source ↗

In November 2018, Cava Group bought Zoës Kitchen, a restaurant chain with more than 250 locations, in a deal worth $300 million, taking the company private and helping Cava expand further into the suburbs.71819

As of August 2021, there were 133 Cava locations. All Cava restaurants are company-owned, and none are franchised.7 In 2020, Cava Group converted seven of its Zoës Kitchen locations to Cava-branded restaurants, with plans to convert 50 more in 2021.151619 It has additional off-premises and digital kitchens dedicated to preparing food for online orders.19 As of April 2026, Cava operated 459 restaurant locations in the United States.20

References

References

  1. "Behind Cava Group's conversion of Zoe's Kitchen restaurants". Restaurant Business. January 11, 2023.
  2. "2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. April 25, 2025.
  3. Sugarman, Carole (November 26, 2018). "Bethesda Interview: The Cava Guys". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. Hiatt, Gabe; Plumb, Tierney (June 25, 2021). "The 13 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings Around D.C., Summer 2021". Eater DC. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  5. Roumeliotis, Greg; Brumpton, Harry (August 17, 2018). "CAVA to acquire Zoe's Kitchen for $300 million". Reuters. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  6. "CAVA Menu: CAVA Restaurant Menu with Prices, PDF & Allergen Guide".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. Stern, Gary. "Cava: Healthy Mediterranean Chain Expanding And Acquiring". Forbes. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  8. Garfield, Leanna (March 30, 2017). "People are obsessed with this Mediterranean chain that's taking over America — here are its secrets". Business Insider. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  9. Sidman, Jessica (September 26, 2013). "The Shopping Channel: Why Restaurants Are Drawn to the Shiny Lights of Grocery Store Shelves". Washington City Paper. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  10. Bhattarai, Abha. "Cava to nearly double by next summer". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  11. "CAVA Expands Dips and Spreads Line to Whole Foods Nationwide". QSR Magazine. March 26, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  12. Rivera, Crystal; Hana, Mary (May 25, 2016). "3 tips for switching careers from guy who left finance for food". CNBC. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  13. "What Inspires Cava CEO Brett Schulman". QSR Magazine. October 13, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  14. Roumeliotis, Greg; Brumpton, Harry (August 17, 2018). "CAVA to acquire Zoe's Kitchen for $300 million". Reuters.
  15. Shanker, Deena (April 27, 2021). "Cava Restaurant Chain Nears $1.3 Billion Value With New Funding". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  16. Lalley, Heather. "Cava nabs a $190 million investment". Restaurant Business Online. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  17. "Restaurant Chain Cava Soars in Debut After $318 Million IPO". Bloomberg.com. June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  18. Cooper, Rebecca (August 17, 2018). "Cava Group acquires a massive competitor". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  19. Lucas, Amelia (April 18, 2019). "Cava sets its sights on more extensive national presence after Zoes Kitchen acquisition". CNBC. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  20. CAVA Group (May 15, 2025). "Earnings Release 2025 Q1" (PDF). Retrieved May 16, 2025.
External links