CAVA, the Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand, opened its second Michigan location on Friday, September 26, at 636 Woodward Ave in downtown Detroit. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant features an indoor dining room and digital order pick-up and delivery, offering a customizable menu with over 17 billion combinations, including chef-curated bowls and pitas, pita chips, dips, and house-made juices. Earlier this month, CAVA introduced Chicken Shawarma as a limited-time protein nationwide.
“We were delighted by the way the Canton community embraced our first Michigan restaurant this summer,” said Jeff Gaul, Chief Development Officer of CAVA. “As we grow across the Midwest, we’re excited to welcome Detroit to our table to experience the bold flavors of our high-quality meals and Mediterranean hospitality.”
CAVA held its Community Day event before the opening, raising funds for Food Rescue US – Detroit, a nonprofit reducing wasted food and increasing food access. Since 2019, this program has raised over $1 million in donations. Additionally, CAVA donated fresh meals from the restaurant’s training period to local community members through its national food donation program launched in fall 2023.
The new Detroit restaurant employs 25-40 local people, offering competitive pay and benefits including paid time off, healthcare, early wage access, free CAVA meals, an Employee Assistance Program, and free mental health support. CAVA aims to reach at least 1,000 restaurants by 2032, recently opening its 400th location. With this Detroit opening, CAVA now operates in 28 states and Washington, D.C. Daily operating hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and the company plans further Michigan expansion later this year.
