CAVA — Restaurant in Franklin

PSA: any time you see a huge list of reviews that are all 5 star where they name the person who helped them and the way it’s worded seems overly formal or odd - just know they are fake reviews. Scroll past all of those and you will find the real reviews. Mine will be a REAL review.

Went to this place twice this week as we are staying local for a business trip.

On both visits (including tonight) the place was absolutely filthy. Every table on both occasions was absolutely dirty and no one came out either time to clean or sanitize them. I had to get a ton of napkins both times and clean the tables and then place napkins all over the sticky table as place cloths. The trash was spilling out of the trash cans all over the trash cabinet and the floors were dirty. When I see the atmosphere the restaurant on two different occasions being this filthy it makes me wonder how poorly cleaned, all of the areas where the food is distributed and prepared are.

The soda machine was out of ice and people had to wait for them to come and bring it finally. The area where the sodas poured hot, sticky soda all over it and piles of ice laying on the tray where you pour the soda. It seems that nobody took time ever to come out into the restaurant area to ever check it.

I understand it was busy, but there were at least 4 to 5 people behind the counter and not that many people in line so some of those people could’ve been going out and cleaning the seating area.

The visit one was my first time trying, ever, and there was a lackluster older man at the counter who didn’t explain anything to me as I was trying to figure out what the ordering process and what you get with each order. I had no idea that you get three choices of dips and I only received one. If I knew I could’ve had two more. I definitely would’ve chosen them. I had no idea that you get a pita w/ your meal if you’d like. I had no idea the dressings were available at the very end. Nobody asked?! how am I supposed to know unless you suggest my options?!

The food itself was tasty and seemed fresh so I will give it that.

We wanted to give it a second try so we went this evening. The girl who helped us initially was very quiet, but did ask us if we wanted certain items like the pita which we accepted. When it came to picking the proteins, my partner choose the chicken, and then he asked to add the steak and we were told that was extra which we knew from reading the sign on the glass. But somehow they ended up charging us for the regular bowl with the chicken and TWO portions of steak PLUS a charge for vegetables. When I tried to question it before leaving I was told that he asked for double chicken + then steak + vegetables so that’s why we were charged $7 dollars for the steak instead of 3.50?!? + veggies charge. I said I was standing right next to him and he asked for a chicken bowl with ad on of steak. then he chose to also get the veggies which we didn’t realize were another up charge. In the end, I didn’t feel like arguing with the girl so we ended up paying $45 for two bowls and one soda!

I was reading through the topping options and every time I would ask for the next topping, she would put my bowl near the register as if I was finished. I had to keep saying no, I’m not finished-please add xyz.

It seems like everyone is in a rush to push you along, and not everyone is an expert at CAVA and all of the options that you can get. It looks like the staff needs some more patience in addition to a change in attitude for some particular employees.

I understand that people that work in the fast food industry don’t always love their jobs but the lackluster reception from people behind the counter just makes the experience completely unpleasant (as if you’re bothering them to put your choices on your plate). I’m generally a pleasant person and I hate when I feel like I’m bothering someone that I’m PAYING to purchase something from.

I read through the reviews and I’m not the only person that discussed this so I guess this is a constant thing at...

I usually love this place. It’s one of my favorite quick lunch spots. And as a local business owner, I appreciate the convenience and (what used to be) stellar service. However…

The entire team working around 2pm today 4/17/2025 was terrible, at best.

First, the girl making my bowl rushed through making it and started putting everything on it without asking. Once I realized this, I didn’t want to inconvenience her, so I asked her to just add the sauce I did want, voicing that I didn’t want her to have to make a new one. She added it, and I of course was charged extra for it. Ok, fine.

Then, she was impatient with my elderly mom who rarely ever goes to Cava, and wanted to try something new. All right.

We get to the cashier. He punches in my order, ignoring his manager who is telling him exactly what items were included. So, I tell him what is included. He angrily exits out of the pay display, and adds only one more of the items. Then stands there, just staring at everything. After a beat, he goes, “m’am, what IS in your order?!” Trying not to look peeved, I set everything together so he could see what all to charge for. My order comes out to $42.17. I pay with cash because I anticipate leaving a tip but don’t have small bills.

He takes my cash, making it clear that he’s annoyed that I’m paying with cash. Again, my order is $42.17. I hand him $60. He gives me $13 FLAT. He doesn’t even hand this change to me. Without looking at me, he sets $13 on TOP of my bowl, then slides all my items to the side to check out the next customer.

He didn’t give me a receipt or ask if I wanted one, so I couldn’t dispute being shorted $4+. Normally, I’d be happy to leave a tip. I just move on, and sit down with my family.

There are only a few customers behind me in line. But immediately upon checking out the last one, the entire crew disappeared to the back prep area, and proceeds to cheer, scream, clap, laugh. Meanwhile, two more customers have come in and are just standing at FOH, waiting to be served. A couple employees come back out and are both fixated with one of their cell phones, laughing, and typing. Then one lady came from the back and finally served the customers who were waiting.

The whole ordeal was absurd. I’m glad they all get along with their co-workers, but it was a really off-putting and unwelcoming experience. A real disappointment after years of coming to this location. I will second-guess...

Atmosphere wasn't bad but the food and staff were hideous. Can I give 0 stars? The food is genuinely the worst my husband and I've had out to eat...possibly ever, definitely in a long time. We did a pickup order via the app. Some things were over cooked (mushy veg, shoe leather steak, falafel was stale), almost every ingredient had a strange chemical taste, others beyond over seasoned. Nothing cohesive flavor wise. Avocado was completely brown, not from heat, but from the little brown vein/streaks over the whole thing. I don't know anyone who would serve, much less eat, an avocado like that - the flavor is terrible. Felt like I was taking shots of vinegar with the pickled onions. And I LOVE pickled onions and vinegar. I held hope for the pita, just to realize they didn't give it to me...and I double checked I had added it to the order. Overall the meal left me feeling like my mouth had been assaulted from every angle.

I was left wondering if this was a one off experience based on the other positive reviews...but I can't imagine how the ingredients could possibly go well together or be served in a tasty way. Even if everything else had been up to normal standards. I'm not normally a brutal reviewer! This was objectively a terrible experience.

On top of that I had an eerie feeling that I would have gotten sick from eating more than a few bites. Like maybe things had been left out too long. I'm not sure and I don't make these claims likely. Soda fountain also tasted dirty/no regular maintenance, maybe a bit of mold.

The employees were extremely immature, distracted, and just hanging out together as friends. 0 concern for the work establishment or cleanliness. I had to wait for them to finish 3 different casual conversations before they graced me with their attention. Even then I had to constantly wait between their conversation to be taken care of. (Which was just them grabbing the pickup bag and handing it to me - that took 11 minutes. Not kidding.) I wouldn't care if they had delivered good food, I'm all about having fun, but this was just insult to injury. The level of social ick was so high.

Major major fail. I will never return to this location or chain and felt scammed out of way too much money for such an inferior meal and experience. I can't believe a place like this...