The Mediterranean Restaurant Chain That Completely Took Over 2024

In 2024, one Mediterranean eatery stood out for its impressive growth: Cava, a fast-casual chain that offers a preset menu and build-your-own options of bowls, salads, and pita wraps. The company performed well after going public in 2023, with same-store sales rising by 2.3% in the first quarter of 2024 and 18% in the third quarter. This achievement was driven by strategic and accessible pricing — between 2019 and 2023, the chain raised prices by 12%. By contrast, the price of eating out in general jumped by about 30%.

Another big part of Cava's success has been its rapid increase in locations. In 2018, it acquired all 261 locations of Zoës Kitchen, a direct competitor. By October 2023, it had finished converting the locations, bringing its total restaurants up to 309.

This move significantly increased Cava's growing national footprint, which now totals 352 restaurants (compare this to the only 66 restaurants it had before acquiring Zoës Kitchen). This growth is the main reason the chain's third-quarter revenue in 2024 was $241.5 million, 39% higher than a year earlier. It's also one of the chain restaurants likely to expand in 2025.

Cava has also been innovating its dining experience, a move that reflects that over 60% of its sales come from in-store orders. In 2024, the company launched Project Soul, an initiative to redesign its dining environments to better reflect the brand of Mediterranean food. This included warmer colors, comfortable seating, and more greenery to make the space more appealing. The chain also plans to keep convenience at the forefront, with easier mobile ordering and accessible pick-up shelves.

This recent and impressive success is all thanks to the model on which Cava was founded. Its assembly line and emphasis on customization are most comparable to Chipotle's. This model, which assisted the rise of Chipotle to a multi-billion dollar company, strikes an effective balance between fresh, quality food and the convenience of quickly-made Mediterranean-style meals.

With no major competitors of a comparable scale offering similar food, the doors are wide open for Cava. The chain hopes to have 1,000 locations by 2032, so it'll be no surprise if you see this Mediterranean chain popping up everywhere.