Mediterranean chain Cava announced Monday it has confidentially filed for an initial public offering.
It's the first restaurant company so far this year to take the first step toward a public market debut, following a drought of IPOs in 2022.
In 2018, it bought Zoes Kitchen for $300 million, taking the chain private.
The company is converting Zoes locations into new Cava restaurants, expanding its footprint.
Cava also sells its dips and spreads, like spicy hummus, tzatziki and tahini dressing, at Whole Foods and other grocery stores.