ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
TO BRING HEART, HEALTH, AND HUMANITY TO FOOD.
We believe in:
Serving delicious food that helps more people eat well and live well.
Taking care of the people and things that feed us: the earth, farmers, purveyors, and team members.
Food as a unifier, for a more diverse yet inclusive world, where all are welcome.
OUR STORY
CAVA IS GROUNDED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN WAY OF LIFE, WHERE FOOD IS AT THE CENTER OF CULTURE AND CONNECTION.
Ike Grigoropoulos, Chef Dimitri Moshovitis, and Ted Xenohristos have known each other since they were six. They were often found goofing off in their Greek church’s Sunday School class, before heading to their respective parents’ homes for a big Sunday lunch, typically full of slow-roasted lamb, lemony potatoes, lots of olives, and bowls of tzatziki. Food and hospitality was always coursing through their veins, thanks to growing up as sons of first-generation immigrants who all valued making room at the table for all their family and friends. Later in life, they cared deeply about creating restaurants that paid homage to the Mediterranean traditions they grew up with, where food equals connection, and what’s good for you is also what tastes good too. They, along with co-founder Brett Schulman, opened CAVA in 2010 to share the food they loved in an accessible fast-casual format.
It’s not only about the food, though. CAVA’s inspiration is rooted in the entire Mediterranean meal experience, notably that feeling-so-cared-for genuine expression of hospitality and warmth. Which is why, at CAVA, generosity is our cornerstone.
OUR FOOD
WE MAKE FOOD THAT TASTES GOOD AND MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD.
We are inspired by our Mediterranean roots, where deliciousness and health are inseparable.
Sacrificing health for flavor? Or flavor for health? Not at CAVA—no compromises here. After all, Mediterranean families have been perfecting this way of eating for a mere 4,000 years.
WE START WITH FRESH, HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS, ALWAYS.
Think meaty-yet-tender Kalamata olives from the southern Peloponnese region of Greece, and pita made with freshly milled flours and sprouted grains. We don’t take shortcuts when it comes to sourcing and are working toward a goal of using only antibiotic-free proteins.
WE ENCOURAGE DISCOVERY THROUGH FOOD.
We offer a lot of bold, Mediterranean flavor combinations for a wide range of palates. That means spicy harissa, tender braised lamb, herbaceous skhug, crispy falafel, creamy tzatziki, grilled meatballs, smoky roasted eggplant dip, and more.
WE OFFER MEDITERRANEAN-INSPIRED FOOD WHEREVER YOU ARE.
Our dips, spreads, and sauces are available at Whole Foods and other grocery retailers nationwide, so you can prepare flavorful meals at home.
OUR SOURCING
IN ALL OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS, WE PRIORITIZE LASTING VALUE FOR OUR GUESTS, THE EARTH, AND OUR PARTNERS.
WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN RELATIONSHIPS OVER TRANSACTIONS, PARTNERING WITH DIVERSE SUPPLIERS THAT SHARE A COMMON SET OF VALUES.
SOURCED FROM GREECE
We're proud to work with Stavros Manolakos, an olive oil sommelier and our supplier since the early days. For generations, his family has owned and farmed the land where our olives are grown. Our two businesses have grown together: As demand has increased, Stavros has been able to invest in his local community and build a larger facility—in the same region where our founders are from, no less!
OUR SPROUTED GRAIN PITA
Damascus Bakery has 80 years of pita-perfecting experience. When seeking out a better pita, we knew exactly where to go. Old tradition meets a brand new sprouted grain pita recipe: just what we wanted.
OUR PRESERVED LEMON PASTE
New York Shuk is an immigrant-owned producer of Middle Eastern pantry staples. We collaborated with them to create our preserved lemon vinaigrette, a guest favorite (so tangy!). We share a similar ethos of staying close to one’s culinary roots while serving a growing audience. Plus, their products are expertly sourced and extremely good.