A Mediterranean restaurant chain that is working on its first location in Ocala is currently hiring for the new business.
CAVA is hiring a general manager in training for its new location at 2800 SW College Road, next to Rooms to Go in southwest Ocala.
According to Marion County property records, the site is owned by Los Cabos Properties, Inc., which is based in Jacksonville Beach.
Ocala permitting records show that the site has been issued a series of building and other permits over the past year for the construction of the new restaurant.
Ocala-News.com first reported the new CAVA in October.
A year ago, the property was purchased for $1.437 million by BOFUS Ocala, LLC, from RTG Properties, LLC, which is registered to Rooms to Go.
Known for its Mediterranean bowls, CAVA restaurants are fast casual establishments that offer a variety of greens, grains and other options, coupled with dips and spreads, a protein, and a collection of toppings and dressings. CAVA also serves pitas with a variety of fillings, including steak, falafel, spicy chicken, and spicy lamb meatballs.
The restaurant chain was founded by Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos, and Dimitri Moshovitis in Rockville, Maryland in 2006.
In 2018, the restaurant’s parent company, Cava Group, merged with Zoës Kitchens. After the acquisition, the newly formed company began converting old Zoës Kitchens locations into CAVA restaurants.
In 2022, Orlando-News.com reported that CAVA had replaced three former Zoës Kitchens in the Orlando metro area, including one near downtown. At the time, Orlando-News.com stated that CAVA had “well over 100 locations across 22 states.”
As of this Summer, there are now over 300 CAVA restaurants across the country. Around 24 of those restaurants are in Florida.
The new CAVA in Ocala is the first in the area and one of only a handful few serving north central Florida. There are currently multiple CAVA locations in Gainesville.
Will you try the new CAVA? Share your comments below or submit a letter to the editor with your opinion.
