Cava, the fast-casual Mediterranean chain, is officially zeroing in on the Twin Cities, with two locations planned for 2026: one on the University of Minnesota campus and another in Blaine near the National Sports Center. The move will bring the company’s bowls, pitas and salads into the metro market and marks a notable new entrant in Minnesota’s fast-casual dining scene.
Where Cava Will Land
A company spokesperson told Bring Me The News that the Minneapolis restaurant is slated for 620 Washington Ave. SE on the U’s East Bank, with the Blaine location planned for 12351 Ulysses St. NE. The spokesperson declined to offer further details but said both restaurants are expected to open later this year. The same report also pointed to an unconfirmed listing in St. Louis Park.
Cava's Growth Push
CAVA Group has been on an aggressive expansion streak, recently celebrating the 400-restaurant mark as it chases a long-term target of at least 1,000 locations by 2032. "We recently opened our 400th restaurant, marking a meaningful milestone on our path to 1,000 restaurants by 2032," Co‑Founder and CEO Brett Schulman said in a press release filed with the SEC. The Twin Cities entries line up with the brand’s steady focus on campus-adjacent and suburban sites.
What It Means Locally
A Cava on Washington Avenue is poised to tap into student foot traffic, dorm life and weekday lunch runs at the U, while the Blaine spot looks positioned to catch tournament crowds and suburban families flowing through the National Sports Center area. Local brand-watchers and chain fans have kept Cava on short lists of most-wanted arrivals for years, as Bring Me The News notes. The chain’s arrival fits a bigger pattern of national fast-casual brands clustering around campuses and event hubs across the Twin Cities.
Next Steps
Cava has not yet posted a Minnesota-specific announcement in its newsroom and has not offered exact opening dates on its corporate channels. The company’s investor materials keep the spotlight on rapid unit growth rather than individual market timelines, so look for formal opening dates, hiring pushes and local menu details to surface closer to any soft openings.
