Cava to enter Minnesota with Minneapolis and Blaine restaurants planned for later in 2026

Two first-time locations announced for the Twin Cities market

Cava, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant company known for build-your-own bowls, pitas and salads, is preparing to open its first Minnesota restaurants, with initial sites planned in Minneapolis and Blaine. The two locations would mark the chain’s market entry in a region where it has not previously operated restaurants.

The Minneapolis location is planned for 620 Washington Ave. SE, in the Stadium Village area near the University of Minnesota’s East Bank campus. A second restaurant is planned for 12351 Ulysses St. NE in Blaine, near the National Sports Center. Opening dates have not been publicly finalized; both are expected later this year.

How the Minnesota sites fit Cava’s national growth strategy

The Minnesota announcement comes as Cava continues a broader national expansion. In its most recent full-year financial reporting for fiscal 2025, the company said it ended the year with 439 restaurants after opening 72 net new locations. Company disclosures also describe a standardized store format that supports in-person ordering alongside digital pickup, and the brand has been rolling out a newer restaurant design concept as it enters additional markets.

While Cava operates at national scale, the specific site selections in Minnesota align with two common fast-casual approaches: placing a restaurant near a large university to capture weekday lunch and student traffic, and siting another in a growing suburban corridor with event-driven visitation and family dining demand.

What is known about the menu and operating model

Cava’s core offering centers on customizable meals built from greens or grains, proteins, toppings and sauces, as well as pita-based items and dips. The company’s model emphasizes speed of service while maintaining a menu positioned around Mediterranean flavors and ingredients. Like many contemporary fast-casual brands, Cava has also invested in digital ordering and dedicated pickup workflows.

Key facts confirmed so far

• Two restaurants are planned as the chain’s first Minnesota locations: one in Minneapolis and one in Blaine.
• The Minneapolis site is planned at 620 Washington Ave. SE, near the University of Minnesota.
• The Blaine site is planned at 12351 Ulysses St. NE, near the National Sports Center.
• Publicly available information has not yet provided specific grand-opening dates; both are expected later in 2026.
• The company reported 439 restaurants at the end of fiscal 2025 after 72 net new openings.

For Minnesota diners and the local restaurant industry, the key next indicators to watch will be permitting and buildout timelines, hiring activity, and any market-specific operational details released closer to opening.

Cava has not announced additional Minnesota sites beyond the two confirmed locations. Further details are expected to emerge as construction and staffing plans become public in the months ahead.