Restaurant Dive | 4 brands growing in Cava’s shadow

In less than two and a half years as a public company, Cava has grown from 263 units to over 400, a 52% increase.

Like Chipotle, the chain’s entry to public markets and its strong unit economics have positioned it as a clear segment leader. But unlike Chipotle, which has thousands of units and more than three decades in operation, Cava is still early in its brand history, and the Mediterranean segment it leads is far from mature.

“Mediterranean food is going to continue to grow. I think there’s opportunity for these small players,” said Mark Wasilefsky, head of TD Bank’s restaurant franchise finance group. “Are there opportunities for these regional players to grab market share? There absolutely are. But if you’re going to open up and a Cava is going to open down the street, it’s going to be a real concern.”

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