CAVA Group, Inc. announced the opening of its first restaurant in the Chicago area, marking the company's entry into the upper Midwest market. CAVA Wicker Park will bring the company's total restaurant count to 325 across 25 states and the District of Columbia. With a target of 1,000 locations by 2032, the company is quickly growing its national footprint.

It opened 72 net new restaurants in 2023 and expects at least 15% growth in 2024 and 2025. CAVA Wicker Park, located at 1484 N. Milwaukee Avenue, is a 3,100-square-foot location with a 30-seat dining room, digital order pick-up and delivery, and an expanded kitchen for centralized catering production. The restaurant will be open daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time.

CAVA's authentic Mediterranean-inspired cuisine features curated and customizable bowls and pitas, with a wide range of mains such as harissa honey chicken and spicy lamb meatballs, flavorful greens and grains, dips, reads, dressings, and toppings. The brand also offers handcrafted juices and is famous for its cult-favorite pita chips, Crazy Feta dip, and garlic and skhug dressings. The day before a new restaurant opens, CAVA invites its new neighbors to enjoy a free meal, accepts guests' donations to local organizations dedicated to food security, and matches those donations up to $1,000.

In keeping with this tradition, the company will host the Wicker Park Community Day, with proceeds supporting Dion's Chicago Dream, a nonprofit fighting food insecurity in Chicago. In addition - and in partnership with Food Rescue US -- the restaurant has donated the fresh meals made during pre-opening team member training to community members in need.