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A D.C.-based Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant company continues to set its eyes beyond the Beltway.
Cava plans to expand its chain to Austin, Charlotte and Boston in early 2018 thanks to several rounds of funding, the company announced Wednesday. The chain currently has 35 restaurants throughout California and the East Coast, where it plans to grow with its first Connecticut restaurant as well as new locations in existing markets like D.C., New York and New Jersey.
“The addition of these 20 new restaurants will allow us to bring our nutritious, flavorful, convenient food to even more communities, as well as broaden our ability to make a positive impact,” Cava CEO Brett Schulman said in a prepared statement.
The company has raised $96M in funding, including a $30M round announced in March from D.C.-based investors Revolution Growth, SWaN & Legend Venture Partners and New York-based The Invus Group. It has used those funds to open new restaurants and invest in technology like its mobile app. Cava has a $13/hour starting wage and offers benefits like paid sick leave, family and community leave and career advancement support for all hourly workers.
In addition to restaurants, the company produces a line of dips and spreads sold in over 200 Whole Foods Markets.
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