CAVA is preparing to reopen its Westfield Montgomery Mall location following a temporary closure for renovations, and the restaurant is inviting community members to enjoy a free meal ahead of its grand reopening.
The restaurant, located at 7101 Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda, is hosting a special community event offering guests one complimentary bowl or pita. Attendees must register in advance and select a time slot, with each guest required to have their own digital ticket.
Three time slots are being offered, including lunch from 10:30am to 2pm, mid-day from 2pm to 5pm, and dinner from 5pm to 8pm. Guests are asked to arrive during their selected window. The event announcement does not specify a date.
Although meals are complimentary, CAVA is encouraging attendees to consider donating to Leftover Love Inc., a nonprofit organization that rescues surplus food from businesses and distributes it to people experiencing food insecurity. CAVA will match donations up to $1,000.
The Westfield Montgomery Mall location temporarily closed for renovations earlier this year, with signage indicating an anticipated winter 2026 reopening. The restaurant originally opened as Cava Grill on November 17, 2014, as part of the mall’s $90 million Dining Terrace expansion and renovation project.
CAVA has deep roots in Montgomery County. In 2006, first-generation Greek Americans Ted Xenohristos, a Paint Branch High School graduate; Ike Grigoropoulos, a Gaithersburg High School graduate; and Dimitri Moshovitis, a Quince Orchard High School graduate, launched the full-service Cava Mezze restaurant at Rockville’s Traville Gateway shopping center, with Moshovitis serving as executive chef.
The founders expanded into packaged dips and spreads in 2008, with products reaching more than 200 stores, including Whole Foods Market. Brett Schulman joined the group in 2009 as CEO and co-founder of the fast-casual concept.
The first fast-casual CAVA restaurant opened in Bethesda in January 2011. Originally known as Cava Mezze Grill, the chain later became Cava Grill before adopting the CAVA name.
