CAVA Group, Inc.
- Open
- 62.95
- Day high
- 63.19
- Day low
- 60.82
- Prev close
- 61.79
- Volume
- 395K
- Mkt cap
- $7.3B
- P/E (TTM)
- 109.7
- EPS (TTM)
- $0.56
- P/B
- 8.7
- P/S
- 5.3
- Yield
- —
- Per share
- —
- ▼Insiders net selling -$276.9M over the last 3 months (1 open-market buy, 10 sales)
- 🏛Institutions accumulating (13F)
CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA) is a Consumer Cyclical company listed on NYSE. The stock is down 6% over the past year. Over the trailing 3 months, insiders filed 1 open-market buy and 10 sales (SEC Form 4). Drillr has 3 published research articles covering CAVA.
CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA) financials & analyst ratings
Fundamentals (TTM)
Analyst consensus · 12 analysts
Source: exchange market data + company filings. Figures are trailing-twelve-month or as most recently reported. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
CAVA earnings date, history & EPS estimates
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2026 | $0.18 | $0.19 | +3.5% | $368M | +2.3% |
| May 19, 2026 | $0.17 | $0.20 | +17.6% | $438M | +21.7% |
| Feb 24, 2026 | $0.03 | $0.04 | +33.3% | $-57M | -113.9% |
| Nov 4, 2025 | $0.13 | $0.12 | -7.7% | $292M | +9.1% |
| Aug 12, 2025 | $0.13 | $0.16 | +23.1% | $281M | -4.5% |
| May 15, 2025 | $0.14 | $0.22 | +57.1% | $332M | +15.4% |
| Aug 22, 2024 | $0.13 | $0.17 | +30.8% | $233M | +6.4% |
| May 28, 2024 | $0.04 | $0.12 | +186.9% | $259M | +5.3% |
| Aug 15, 2023 | $0.01 | $0.21 | +1372.7% | $173M | +5.9% |
| Apr 29, 2023 | — | $-0.02 | — | $203M | — |
| Dec 31, 2022 | — | $-0.17 | — | $130M | — |
| Jul 29, 2022 | — | $-0.07 | — | $136M | — |
CAVA insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2026 | Thompson Douglas W.officer: Chief Operations Officer | Buy | 6,500 | $66.52 |
| Aug 17, 2026 | Thomas Amiee Lynndirector | Grant | 1,821 | — |
| Jun 24, 2026 | SHAICH RONALD Mdirector | Grant | 1,881 | — |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Bosserman Daviddirector | Grant | 1,881 | — |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Felt Benjamindirector | Grant | 1,881 | — |
| Jun 24, 2026 | WHITE JAMES Ddirector | Grant | 1,881 | — |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Shanahan Lauri Mdirector | Grant | 1,881 | — |
| Jun 24, 2026 | Amouyal Philippedirector | Grant | 1,881 | — |
| Jun 23, 2026 | KOCHEVAR KARENdirector | Option | 3,750 | $6.25 |
| Jun 23, 2026 | KOCHEVAR KARENdirector | Sell | 10,000 | $90.00 |
| Jun 23, 2026 | KOCHEVAR KARENdirector | Option | 625 | $2.94 |
| Jun 23, 2026 | KOCHEVAR KARENdirector | Option | 1,875 | $3.12 |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Tolivar Tricia K.officer: Chief Financial Officer | Grant | 283 | $44.13 |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Phillips Adam Davidofficer: Chief Accounting Officer | Sell | 757 | $89.43 |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Xenohristos Theodorosdirector, officer: Chief Concept Officer | Sell | 3,252 | $89.43 |
Source: CAVA SEC Form 4 filings, latest Sep 2, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
See the full CAVA insider & 13F page →CAVA research & analysis
[CAVA] CAVA Group Compounds Mediterranean Fast-Casual Through Unit Expansion And Same-Restaurant Sales
CAVA Group, Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-headquartered restaurant company that operates the CAVA brand, a fast-casual restaurant concept built around Mediterranean cuisine offering customizable bowls and pitas with a range of bases, proteins, toppings, and dips and spreads. The founding-cycle thesis is that the fast-casual dining segment, which combines the convenience and price point of the quick-service segment with a higher-quality, more customizable food offering, has been a structurally growing part of the restaurant industry, and that the Mediterranean cuisine positioned as a flavorful and health-oriented option represents a differentiated and under-penetrated category within the fast-casual segment. The business operates the CAVA restaurants predominantly on a company-operated basis and generates revenue from the restaurant sales, and the company has been pursuing a substantial new-restaurant growth program opening new CAVA restaurants across an expanding set of markets. On selected various aggregate disclosure, the fiscal 2025 financial profile reflects total revenue at the scale characteristic of a fast-growing fast-casual restaurant company, an operating margin profile reflecting the restaurant-level economics and the growth investment, and a balance-sheet position consistent with a well-capitalized growth company. The Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain core franchise anchors revenue, supported by the CAVA restaurants producing the restaurant sales, by the differentiated Mediterranean positioning producing brand differentiation within the fast-casual segment, and by the restaurant-level economics underpinning the franchise and the expansion rationale. The multi-cycle unit expansion combined with the same-restaurant sales and the margin trajectory drives the multi-year trajectory, with the unit expansion reflecting the program of opening new CAVA restaurants from a relatively early-stage base as the principal revenue-growth driver, and the same-restaurant sales and margin trajectory reflecting the performance of the existing restaurants and whether the unit expansion translates into the intended economics. Capital structure is conservative with a meaningful net cash or low-leverage position, and a capital allocation framework focused on funding the new-restaurant growth program. The bull case anchors on the differentiated Mediterranean fast-casual positioning, the substantial unit-expansion runway, and the restaurant-level economics; the bear case anchors on the discretionary nature of restaurant spending, the competitive intensity, and the valuation expectations embedded in a high-growth restaurant equity.
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FWRGWING
CAVA Group, Inc. company profile
Overview
CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA) is a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain founded in 2006 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. The company went public in June 2023 and has rapidly expanded from its origins as a small restaurant concept to become one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States. CAVA operates over 380 locations across the country and has positioned itself as the leading brand in the emerging Mediterranean fast-casual dining category, emphasizing fresh ingredients, customizable bowls and salads, and a health-conscious dining experience.
Business
CAVA operates in the fast-casual restaurant industry, specifically focusing on Mediterranean cuisine. The fast-casual segment sits between traditional fast food and casual dining, offering higher-quality ingredients and customization options while maintaining quick service and moderate pricing. The company's core offering revolves around customizable Mediterranean bowls, salads, and pitas. Customers can build their meals by selecting from a variety of bases (greens, grains, or pita), proteins (including grilled chicken, lamb, falafel, and recently introduced steak), and an array of Mediterranean-inspired toppings, dips, and dressings. The menu emphasizes fresh, healthy ingredients with options like hummus, tzatziki, harissa, and various seasonal vegetables. CAVA's business model centers on company-owned restaurants, with the vast majority of locations being corporate-operated rather than franchised. The company also produces and sells its signature dips, spreads, and pita chips through grocery retail channels, though this represents a smaller portion of overall revenue. The restaurant segment generates approximately 95% of total revenue, while the packaged goods business contributes the remaining 5%. The company has built its brand around the concept of "Mediterranean way" - promoting not just the food but a lifestyle centered on fresh, wholesome eating. This positioning differentiates CAVA from other fast-casual competitors like Chipotle (Mexican) or Sweetgreen (salads) by carving out the Mediterranean cuisine niche in the American fast-casual market.
Revenue model
CAVA generates revenue primarily through restaurant sales from its company-owned locations, with customers paying for individual meals averaging around $13-15 per transaction. The company's paying customers are primarily health-conscious consumers, young professionals, and families seeking convenient, nutritious dining options. The business model benefits from several revenue drivers. Same-store sales growth has been consistently strong, driven by both increased customer traffic (new customers discovering the brand) and higher average transaction values through menu innovations and premium add-ons. The company's loyalty program, approaching 8 million members, drives repeat visits and higher spending per customer. Unit expansion provides the primary growth engine, with CAVA targeting aggressive expansion from 380 current locations toward a long-term goal of 1,000 restaurants by 2032. Several factors influence CAVA's profitability margins. Labor costs represent the largest expense category, and the company has invested heavily in wage increases and technology to improve productivity. Food costs fluctuate with commodity prices, particularly for proteins, produce, and grains. The company's restaurant-level profit margins currently run around 25% of revenue, which is strong for the fast-casual segment. Operational leverage improves margins as individual restaurants mature and achieve higher sales volumes. Newer locations typically achieve $2.3 million in average unit volumes (AUV) in their first year, growing to $2.5 million in year two, while top-performing mature locations exceed $4 million annually with profit margins above 30%. Technology investments in kitchen display systems, AI-powered operations, and labor optimization tools are expected to drive further margin expansion over time. External factors that could pressure margins include inflation in labor and food costs, increased competition in the fast-casual space, and potential economic downturns affecting consumer discretionary spending. However, CAVA's premium positioning and strong value proposition have historically provided some insulation from macro pressures.
Competitive moat
CAVA's competitive moat is moderately strong but still developing, centered primarily around its first-mover advantage in Mediterranean fast-casual dining and its operational execution capabilities. The company's strongest moat element is its category leadership in Mediterranean cuisine. CAVA has effectively created and defined the Mediterranean fast-casual category in the American market, similar to how Chipotle established Mexican fast-casual. This positioning provides brand recognition advantages and customer loyalty within a specific culinary niche that resonates with health-conscious consumers. Operational excellence represents another defensive element. CAVA has developed sophisticated systems for food preparation, supply chain management, and restaurant operations that would be difficult for new entrants to replicate quickly. The company's investment in technology, including AI-powered kitchen systems and labor optimization tools, creates efficiency advantages that support both margin expansion and consistent customer experience. The loyalty program ecosystem with nearly 8 million members provides some customer stickiness and valuable data for personalization and marketing optimization. However, CAVA's moat faces several vulnerabilities. The fast-casual restaurant industry has relatively low barriers to entry, and well-capitalized competitors could potentially enter the Mediterranean space. Chipotle, with its massive scale and operational expertise, could theoretically launch a Mediterranean concept. Additionally, changing consumer preferences toward other cuisines or dining formats could erode CAVA's positioning. The company's unit economics and scalability are still being proven across diverse markets and economic conditions. While current performance is strong, the sustainability of high-margin expansion remains to be demonstrated over full economic cycles. The brand's appeal may also be somewhat limited to urban and suburban markets with higher income demographics, potentially constraining total addressable market size.
Risks & safety
CAVA demonstrates a strong financial position with significant cash reserves and minimal debt, though trading at premium valuations. **Cash and Liquidity:** - Cash and short-term investments: $289 million (Q1 2025) - Current ratio: 3.0x, indicating strong short-term liquidity - Free cash flow: $2.7 million (Q1 2025), though volatile quarter-to-quarter - Zero meaningful debt burden **Solvency Risk:** - Debt-to-equity ratio: 0.57x, primarily consisting of lease obligations rather than traditional debt - Strong balance sheet with $726 million in shareholders' equity - Operating cash flow positive: $39 million (Q1 2025) **Valuation Metrics:** - Price-to-earnings ratio: 90x (Q1 2025), indicating expensive valuation - EV/EBITDA: 55x, well above industry averages - Price-to-book ratio: 12.8x, reflecting premium market expectations - Revenue growth justification: 28% year-over-year growth supports some premium **Other Considerations:** - Restaurant expansion capital requirements create ongoing cash needs - Seasonal variations in cash flow due to expansion timing - Strong unit economics provide foundation for future cash generation - Market volatility risk given high valuation multiples
Recent development
Over the past two years, CAVA has executed several strategic initiatives focused on accelerating growth and operational efficiency. The company has aggressively expanded its restaurant footprint, opening 56 net new locations in 2024 and targeting 62-66 openings in 2025, representing consistent 15-17% annual unit growth toward its goal of 1,000 restaurants by 2032. Menu innovation has been a key driver, with the successful launch of grilled steak as a protein option in 2024, which exceeded management expectations and contributed to strong same-store sales performance. The company also introduced its first new pita chip flavor (Garlic Ranch) and has continued seasonal menu rotations to drive customer engagement. The loyalty program transformation represents a major strategic pivot. CAVA redesigned and relaunched its loyalty program, growing membership to nearly 8 million members and achieving a 340 basis point improvement in loyalty-driven revenue. The program now features lower entry barriers and more personalized communications, with plans to add tiered status levels in 2025. Technology integration has accelerated significantly. CAVA is rolling out Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) across 250+ restaurants to improve order accuracy and kitchen efficiency. The company is also piloting AI-powered video technology in select locations to optimize operations and testing new labor deployment models that have shown promising productivity improvements. Geographic expansion has brought CAVA into new markets including Chicago, Indiana, and Greater Miami, demonstrating the brand's appeal beyond its original East Coast footprint. The company has also been testing catering services in select markets, with plans for a major metro market test in 2025 and potential national rollout in 2026. Operationally, CAVA has invested heavily in its workforce, implementing 9% wage increases year-over-year and developing leadership programs that have reduced hourly turnover by 28%. The company also opened a new manufacturing facility in Virginia to support its packaged goods business and restaurant supply chain.
CAVA company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
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