CAVA Opens 500th Restaurant Location in Minneapolis
The fast-casual chain marked its milestone expansion with a grand opening ceremony at 622 Washington Avenue SE.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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CAVA officially opened its 500th restaurant location in Minneapolis on September 23, 2026. The company celebrated the milestone by presenting a charitable donation to The Food Group during the event.
Why it matters
The opening represents a significant scaling of the company's national footprint as it executes a growth strategy targeting 1,000 locations by 2032. This expansion highlights the brand's continued productivity in the fast-casual dining sector.
New CAVA restaurants generate more than $3 million in average annualized sales with a productivity rate above 100%. Each new location launch involves 45 to 50 team members, two leads, and 10 station trainers.
The players
CAVA
A Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain that operates a network of locations across the United States.
The Food Group
A hunger-relief organization that works to address food insecurity through community-based programs and partnerships.
The details
The company relies on a development strategy that integrates real estate, supply chain, and operations to maintain high productivity as it enters new markets. The 500th store at 622 Washington Avenue SE is part of a broader corporate plan to double its total workforce to more than 30,000 employees by 2032.
Timeline
CAVA opened its first fast-casual restaurant in 2011.
The Community Day program launched in 2019.
The 500th restaurant opened in Minneapolis on September 23, 2026.
The company aims to reach 1,000 locations by 2032.
Market Landscape
The opening of the 500th location follows the corporate framework established by the Community Day program. This milestone reflects the brand's strategy to consolidate its market position against other fast-casual competitors as it prepares for aggressive national expansion.
Local diners in Minneapolis now have access to a new restaurant option as part of the company's national growth. Customers can expect consistent service standards as the chain continues to scale its operations across the region.
The takeaway
CAVA is maintaining high per-unit productivity metrics as it rapidly expands its physical footprint across the country. The company's goal of reaching 1,000 stores shows a sustained investment in the Mediterranean fast-casual segment for the next decade.
Further reading
Find more developments in the local retail scene in the Minneapolis Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The National Herald.
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