A Recipe for Success: The Analytics Behind Cava’s Unconventional Growth Strategy

Cava’s explosive growth in the fast casual category has been accelerated by a $300M acquisition that they acquired to intentionally wind down the brand.

One Key Insight:

Cava serves made-to-order bowls with Mediterranean themed ingredients from 235 company-owned stores, targeting upper-middle income population in urban-suburban households primarily in the East and Southeast with conversion of acquired Zoës Kitchen locations as a key growth strategy.

Who They Are

One Insight: Cava serves Mediterranean-inspired made-to-order bowls from 235 company-owned locations and has a private market valuation of $1B+.

Cava is a fast casual restaurant that serves bowls — think Chipotle or sweetgreen — with Mediterranean themed ingredients. The brand has over 230 open or coming soon locations — all company owned — up from around 170 at the end of 2021 and 105 in 2020.