Mediterranean fast-casual chain Cava is picking up momentum for the second half of 2026 as it works toward its goal of opening 1,000 locations by 2032.

The restaurant chain plans to open more than 75 new stores and hire 2,500 more employees by the end of the year, it announced Tuesday.

“We’re in an exciting season of growth at CAVA as we continue expanding our Mediterranean way to more guests and communities across the country,” Cava Chief Operating Officer Doug Thompson said in a statement.

Shares for Cava Group Inc., which went public in 2023, were up by 7% by late Tuesday morning after the announcement.

Cava opened 20 new restaurants in the first quarter of 2026, bringing the company's portfolio to 459 locations across 29 states and Washington, D.C., co-founder, CEO, President and Director Brett Schulman said in the company's earnings call.

The company plans new restaurants in St. Louis, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. It is also expanding into Minnesota for the first time, Schulman said.

The push for more than 75 locations is an increase from the 68 planned openings in 2025, when it expanded to California and Florida.

Cava reported $23M in net income for the first quarter, while revenue increased 32% year-over-year to $434M.

The expansion push comes as the fast-casual restaurant market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. The market was valued at $168B in 2023 and is projected to reach $301B by 2032, according to a Straits Research report.

The market's high level of competition has caused crowding, reducing vacancies and pushing up rents.