Cava Enters St. Louis With First Outlet, Targets 500 Units in 2026

CAVA has opened its first restaurant in the St. Louis, Missouri market, marking a new phase in its Midwestern expansion strategy as the company targets reaching 500 locations nationwide in 2026. The outlet, located in Cottleville, began operations on Friday and represents the brand’s entry into a new regional market.

The opening comes as Cava continues to scale its footprint across the United States, building on a total of 439 restaurants reported at the end of Q4 2025. The company has indicated that sustained expansion through new market entries and selective infill development is expected to drive growth over the coming year.

First St. Louis Outlet Anchors Midwest Expansion

The newly launched restaurant in Cottleville, a suburb northwest of St. Louis, is the brand’s first location in the Missouri market. The company has confirmed plans to open an additional outlet in the St. Louis area later this year, further strengthening its presence in suburban catchments.

The move aligns with Cava’s broader focus on Midwestern cities as part of its geographic diversification strategy. Since entering Chicago in 2024, the brand has expanded into multiple regional markets, including Indianapolis, Detroit and Pittsburgh, positioning these cities as key growth territories.

The St. Louis debut adds to this pipeline, reflecting a continued push into urban and suburban markets where the brand currently has limited or no presence.

Path to 500 Locations Driven by Multi-Market Strategy

Cava’s expansion roadmap is structured around a mix of market infill and new market entries. According to previously shared company insights, approximately 70% of future development is expected to come from expanding within existing or emerging markets where the brand already operates.

An additional 10% of growth is projected to come from infill within mature markets, while 20% is allocated to entirely new market entries. This balanced approach allows the company to leverage brand familiarity in established areas while simultaneously building awareness in untapped regions.

The St. Louis launch falls within the new market entry category, supporting the company’s broader ambition to scale efficiently while maintaining operational consistency across locations.

Strong Performance of New Openings Supports Growth

Recent restaurant openings across Cava’s network have reported strong performance, contributing to overall system growth. Company leadership has indicated that new units across existing, emerging and greenfield markets have shown consistent traction.

This performance has been attributed to increasing brand awareness and rising consumer interest in Mediterranean cuisine within the fast-casual segment. The positive response to new store launches has played a role in supporting the company’s broader financial trajectory.

In 2025, Cava surpassed $1 billion in annual sales, a milestone achieved despite a broader slowdown in consumer spending on fast-casual dining occasions. The contribution of new units has been identified as a key factor in sustaining revenue growth during this period.

Menu Innovation Supports Traffic and Sales

Alongside physical expansion, Cava has continued to invest in menu development to drive customer engagement and repeat visits. The company recently introduced salmon as a permanent addition to its core menu, expanding its protein offerings.

Menu innovation remains a central component of the brand’s strategy to maintain relevance in a competitive fast-casual landscape. By evolving its offerings, the company aims to attract a broader customer base while enhancing average transaction value.

The integration of new menu items is expected to complement store expansion efforts by supporting both traffic growth and overall system sales.

Midwest Emerges as Key Growth Region

The company’s focus on Midwestern markets reflects a wider industry trend, where restaurant chains are targeting regions with growing suburban populations and increasing demand for fast-casual dining options.

By entering cities such as St. Louis and expanding in adjacent markets, Cava is positioning itself to capture demand in areas that offer both population density and growth potential. These markets also provide opportunities for cluster development, enabling operational efficiencies and brand visibility.

The opening in Cottleville marks the latest step in this strategy, with additional units expected to follow as the company progresses toward its 500-location target. The St. Louis market is now part of Cava’s active development pipeline, with further expansion planned within the year.