‘Mediterranean Chipotle’ CEO issues defiant price warning to all diners – & doubles down on expansion plans
THE CEO of the restaurant chain dubbed the 'Mediterranean Chipotle' has issued a defiant price message to diners.
Alongside a pledge to keep prices the same for customers, the chief announced major expansion plans - including coming to a US state for the first time.
Cava is known as a Mediterranean Chipotle-style restaurant chain, but is seeing far more promising growth signs than the name it is compared to.
The Daily Mail reports that Cava is set to open between 62 and 66 new US locations, bringing its count to 367.
This may put it behind some of the bigger names in the dining sector, but Cava's expansion is very consistent.
The chain has already opened 14 new locations this year, with its latest opened on April 16 in Marlton, New Jersey.
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Cava opened 58 restaurants last year too as well as entering the South Florida and Indiana markets for the first time.
That is set to continue in 2025, as Cava sets its eyes on a first-time Michigan location, as well as adding new Pennsylvania ones this year, too.
CEO Brett Schulman said: "'We established Mediterranean as the next major cultural cuisine category, delivered a unique, compelling value proposition to our guests, and as a result, drove exceptional traffic growth.
"In our first full fiscal year as a public company, Cava generated four consecutive quarters of free cash flow, and, throughout warm hospitality, delivered the human connection people are craving."
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On top of this, Schulman has put fans at ease with the knowledge that Cava has no plans to pass any rising costs onto its customers.
He told Axios that Cava has "no plans to take any price increases for the remainder of 2025.
"Our supply chain team has worked with our suppliers to mitigate any of those tariffs impacts, as well as just overall, mitigating it some needing it to be passed along to our guests."
Schulman then went on to praise Cava's growth as being "pretty amazing when many brands are seeing slumps in traffic."
CAVA GROWTH
Cava is certainly showing promising sings going into the rest of 2025.
Following a sales dip at Chipotle after its own expansion announcement, Cava finished 2024 with a comparative boom.
Cava earned $954.3 million in revenue, a 35.1% increase compared to 2023.
Yelp also named it the top fastest-growing fast food chain in the US.
Analysts believe that Cava will see a 24.1% revenue increase this year, and by 2032, Cava hopes to be operating at least 1,000 restaurants.
The chain has also launched a partnership with Olympic gold medallist Gabby Thomas.
New Cava restaurants open now
- Durham, North Carolina: 8128 Renaissance Parkway, #114, Durham, NC 27713; Opened on Jan. 17
- Glen Allen, Virginia: 9964 Brook Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059; Opened on Jan. 18
- Ocala, Florida: 2800 SW College Road, Suite 101, Ocala, FL 34474; Opened on Jan. 31
- East Brunswick, New Jersey: 300 NJ-18, Unit #1, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 (in Midstate Mall); Opened on Jan. 31
- Chelmsford, Massachusetts: 40 Drum Hill Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824; Opened on Feb. 21
- Union, New Jersey: 1235 W. Chestnut St., Suite G, Union, NJ, 07083; Opened on Feb. 28
- Palm Harbor, Florida: 33163 US Hwy 19 N., Palm Harbor, FL, 34684; Opened on March 6
- Lafayette, Louisiana: 4220 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70508; Opened on March 14
- Fishers, Indiana: 11594 Whistle Drive, Suite 150, Fishers, IN 46037; Opened on March 14
- New York, New York: 1535 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028; Opened on March 21
- New Orleans, Louisiana: 5001 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115; Opened on April 4
- Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts: 220 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467; Opened on April 4
- Leander, Texas: 128 South Brook Drive, Leander, TX 78641; Opened on April 11
- Marlton, New Jersey: 349 Route 70 West, Marlton, NJ 08053; Opened on April 16
Source: USA Today
Thomas has heaped praise on the chain and has called it her "go-to for delicious meals."
The Thomas collaboration brought three new limited-time items to Cava restaurants, including the Spicy Lamb + Avocado Bowl, the Falafel Crunch Bowl, and the Garlic Chicken + Veggie Pita.
The chain also debuted its limited-time Hot Harissa Pita Chips, which will be available until this summer.
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A spokesperson for Cava said: "With over 80 percent of Gen Z and Millennials choosing chips as their snack of choice, Cava couldn't resist catering to its fans with a Greek twist on traditional North African harissa.
"These chips pack a vibrant punch—delivering bold, unexpected heat in every bite."
