Hello, Cincinnati: CAVA’s Expansion Into the Midwest Continues

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03/13/2026 - 08:07 AM

The growing Mediterranean concept brings bold flavors and nutritious meals to its first Cincinnati location in Oakley Station

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CAVA (NYSE: CAVA), the category-defining Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand, opened its doors today at 3356 Madison Road in Cincinnati, Ohio. CAVA Oakley Station is a 3,200-square-foot location with a bright dining room, convenient digital order pick-up, and delivery options designed to meet guests where they are depending on the day - bringing bold, craveable Mediterranean flavors that will leave Cincinnati guests feeling energized, satisfied, and well nourished.

CAVA Cincinnati

CAVA brings its signature Mediterranean warmth to its first Ohio location, serving bold, high-quality flavors inspired by its founders’ roots. Guests can enjoy a chef-curated meal or build their own bowl or pita from 17 billion possible combinations - so no two visits are ever the same. The menu features a dynamic mix of permanent favorites and limited-time offerings, building on CAVA’s largest menu launch earlier this year. From hearty proteins, delicious dips, a variety of pita chip flavors (including its latest addition of Sumac Sour Cream & Onion), house made-juices, and fan favorites like Roasted White Sweet Potatoes, every meal delivers vibrant flavor and feel-good energy that fuels every moment.

“Cincinnati has a strong sense of community, and that’s exactly what we hope to be part of here in Oakley,” said Jeff Gaul, Chief Development Officer of CAVA. “We believe great food brings people together, so whether guests are stopping by after work or fueling up before a Bengals or Reds game, we’re looking forward to bringing the fresh and craveable Mediterranean flavors to the neighborhood.”

To celebrate CAVA’s arrival to Oakley Station, CAVA invites guests in for a complimentary meal during its Community Day celebration and will accept donations to support a local cause - matching those donations up to $1,000. Since 2019, this company-wide Community Day program has raised more than $1 million in monetary and food donations for organizations working to combat food insecurity across the country.

Keeping with CAVA’s tradition, the Cincinnati Community Day event will raise funds for La Soupe, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit that rescues an average of 30,000 pounds of fresh food from local grocers, farms, manufacturers, and distributors each week. Their chefs transform these ingredients into restaurant-quality meals for neighbors facing food insecurity. CAVA also donated fresh meals prepared throughout the restaurant’s training period to local community members. The company's food donation program, launched nationally in fall 2023, helps reduce food waste and expand access to fresh meals as CAVA grows into new communities.

With a target of at least 1,000 restaurants by 2032, the company is quickly growing its national footprint, with plans to open additional restaurants across the Midwest and enter new regions across the country throughout 2026. CAVA is on track to open its 500th location later this year, and with Cincinnati as its first Ohio location, the national footprint grows to 29 states and the District of Columbia. Cincinnati marks CAVA’s first entry into Ohio as the company continues expanding across the Midwest following recent openings in Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis.

CAVA’s new Cincinnati restaurant will employ 25-40 local people and will be open daily from 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. CAVA looks for team members who demonstrate hospitality and warmth and is dedicated to creating career pathways for them. CAVA offers competitive pay and benefits including paid time off, healthcare, early wage access, free CAVA meals, an Employee Assistance Program, and free mental health support.

To learn more about CAVA, follow @CAVA on social channels, including TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About CAVA

CAVA is the category-defining Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand, bringing together healthful food and bold, satisfying flavors at scale. Our brand and our opportunity transcend the Mediterranean category to compete in the large and growing limited-service restaurant sector as well as the health and wellness food category. CAVA serves guests across age groups, genders, and income brackets and benefits from generational tailwinds created by consumer demand for healthy living and a demographic shift towards greater ethnic diversity. We meet consumers’ desires to engage with convenient, authentic, purpose-driven brands that view food as a source of self-expression. The broad appeal of our food combined with these favorable industry trends drive our vast opportunity for continued growth.