If you, like us, have been hitting up Cava every time you take a road trip outside the St. Louis region, we’ve got good news. We can now finally get our fix in our own hometown as the first local Cava debuts today, Friday, April 17, in Cottleville, with another outpost already lined up for Des Peres later this year.
The new restaurant, located at 4765 B Hwy. N, marks the brand’s entry into a market it sees as a natural fit. Known for its customizable bowls and pitas built around bright, Mediterranean flavors, Cava positions itself at the intersection of quick service and wellness-minded dining, where convenience doesn’t come at the expense of quality or variety.
“St. Louis is a city with deep roots, bustling neighborhoods, and a culture that celebrates coming together – whether it’s cheering on your favorite sports team or connecting over a great meal,” said Jeff Gaul, Chief Development Officer of Cava, in a release. “We’re excited to become a part of that fabric and introduce our fresh, bold Mediterranean flavors to the Cottleville community, creating a space where people can gather, recharge, and make Cava part of their everyday routine. With a second St. Louis location opening later this year, we look forward to inviting even more members of the community to our table.”
Inside the roughly 2,900-square-foot space, guests will find a light-filled dining room alongside streamlined digital ordering and pickup options, a setup designed to meet the rhythms of both dine-in regulars and grab-and-go customers. The menu follows a similar philosophy of flexibility: Diners can opt for chef-designed combinations or build their own from a sprawling lineup of ingredients, from dips and spreads to proteins, toppings and house-made beverages. A new glazed salmon entrée is set to join the mix beginning April 20.
Company leadership framed the move as both a strategic expansion and a cultural fit. The St. Louis area’s neighborhood-driven energy and strong dining culture made it an appealing next step as the brand continues to scale across the Midwest, following recent growth in cities like Detroit, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
That growth is happening quickly. Cava now operates in nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C., and is on pace to hit 500 locations nationwide this year, with a long-term goal of reaching 1,000 by 2032. Its expansion has been fueled in part by rising demand for fast-casual concepts that emphasize fresh ingredients, global flavors and a sense of personalization, an area where the brand has carved out a distinct identity.
Locally, the Cottleville restaurant is expected to employ between 25 and 40 people, with a focus on hospitality-forward service and internal growth opportunities. The company says it offers a full slate of benefits, including healthcare, paid time off and mental health support, as part of an effort to position restaurant jobs as longer-term career paths.
As part of its opening, Cava also leaned into community engagement. The brand hosted a preview event benefiting the St. Louis Area Foodbank, inviting guests to dine in exchange for donations, which the company matched up to $1,000. The initiative is part of a broader company program that has raised more than $1 million for hunger relief efforts nationwide since 2019. In addition, meals prepared during staff training were distributed to local community members, an effort tied to a newer companywide push to reduce food waste while increasing access to fresh meals.
With its first St. Louis-area location now open and another on deck, Cava’s arrival signals more than just a new lunch option, it reflects the continued momentum of fast-casual brands that blend speed, customization and a health-conscious pitch into one polished package.
