Mediterranean restaurant chain CAVA will invest over $30 million to establish a 57,000-square-foot processing and packaging operation in Augusta County, Virginia. The project is expected to create 52 jobs.

The company will construct a 57,000-square-foot facility in Mill Place Commerce Park. CAVA first opened in Virginia in 2012 and operates more than 30 restaurants with more than 900 employees in the state, according to company officials.

“As a Washington, D.C.-based business, the Commonwealth of Virginia is a part of our hometown community,” said CAVA Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Brett Schulman. “We opened our first restaurant in Virginia in 2012, and today we operate more than 30 CAVA restaurants where we employ over 900 team members. With the opening of our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, we look forward to the opportunity to continue our support for Virginia and its communities.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Augusta County and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Augusta County with the project. The Governor also approved a performance-based grant of $300,000 from the Virginia Investment Performance Grant, an incentive that encourages continued capital investment by existing Virginia companies.

“The Shenandoah Valley has built a reputation as a top location for food and beverage manufacturers, and CAVA is a strong addition to a region home to many industry leaders,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “Augusta County offers natural resources and a highly skilled workforce that will benefit the company. We are excited to partner with CAVA on this major investment.”

The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program will provide support for CAVA’s job creation. This program is a workforce initiative created by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners. Funding support comes from the Northam administration and the Virginia General Assembly.

“CAVA’s focus on extolling the virtues of food and family, and the company’s entrepreneurial spirit perfectly resonates with the quality of life and philosophy of people in the Shenandoah Valley,” said Executive Director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership Jay A. Langston, Ph.D. “It has been a pleasure assisting Augusta County and the CAVA team in choosing a location that embraces the spirit of wholesome food and the value of working hard, playing hard, and giving back to the community. We welcome CAVA to the Shenandoah Valley’s robust food and agricultural community, and embrace its commitment to championing local community healthy eating initiatives.”

Owned by Cava Group, Cava is a privately held Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain with locations across the United States.