Cava Files Permits for Two Lexington Restaurants
The Mediterranean fast-casual chain will make its Kentucky debut at sites on Sir Barton Way and Finn Way.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Dining Out
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Cava has filed permits to open its first two restaurants in Lexington. These new locations mark the chain's entry into the Kentucky market.
Why it matters
The expansion brings the Mediterranean-style dining concept to local residents for the first time. The addition adds a new fast-casual option to the city's growing culinary scene.
Cava operates more than 400 locations across the country after being founded in 2010. The Hamburg site, located at 2305 Sir Barton Way, is slated for a 3,200-square-foot footprint.
The players
Cava
Cava is a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain that operates over 400 locations nationwide.
Joella's Hot Chicken
Joella's Hot Chicken is a restaurant chain that previously occupied the site at 2305 Sir Barton Way before closing in early 2026.
The details
The Mediterranean restaurant will occupy space previously held by Joella's Hot Chicken, which closed in February 2026. Permits were filed for sites at 2305 Sir Barton Way and 4049 Finn Way.
Timeline
Cava was founded in 2010.
Joella's Hot Chicken closed its Lexington location in February 2026.
The Cava restaurant at Hamburg is expected to open in Spring 2027.
Culture Shift
This move highlights the broader industry shift of fast-casual brands expanding beyond primary metropolitan hubs into mid-sized markets. It marks the continued growth of Mediterranean-style dining options against more established fast-food staples.
Lexington residents will gain access to a new Mediterranean menu option at two distinct city locations. The Hamburg-area restaurant is specifically expected to debut by the spring of 2027.
The takeaway
The arrival of Cava adds to the diversity of dining options available to Lexington residents. Local customers can look forward to new Mediterranean menu items when the sites begin operations in the coming years.
What happens next
The restaurant at 2305 Sir Barton Way is scheduled to open in Spring 2027.
Further reading
Find more updates on the city's evolving culinary landscape in our Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lexington Herald Leader.
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