What Cava Group does

CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE: CAVA) is a publicly traded Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant company operating 459 company-owned locations across 29 U.S. states and Washington D.C. as of Q1 2026, with a stated long-term target of 1,000 restaurants by 2032. The core menu consists of chef-curated, customizable bowls, pitas, and plates built around proprietary dips and spreads (including Crazy Feta, harissa, hummus, and tzatziki) that CAVA produces in-house at vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in Laurel, MD and Verona, VA. Adjacent revenue streams include retail grocery distribution of CAVA-branded dips and dressings at Whole Foods, Wegmans, Giant, H-E-B, and other regional grocers, a catering platform, gift cards, and the CAVA Shop merchandise line launched in November 2025. Technology infrastructure includes a proprietary iOS/Android mobile app, online ordering, third-party delivery integrations, and the CavaCore AI data platform completed in Q1 2026 for operational insights across the network.

Revenue is generated predominantly through company-owned restaurant sales, supplemented by catering, retail grocery, gift cards ($5-$200 denominations), and merchandise. FY2025 revenue was approximately $1.16-1.18 billion (22.5% YoY growth), and Q1 2026 revenue was $434.4 million (up 32.2% YoY). Digital ordering exceeds 36% of total revenue, the CAVA Rewards loyalty program drives roughly one-third of sales, and the company is targeting 75-77 net new restaurant openings in FY2026. Average unit volumes above $3 million, restaurant-level profit margins of 25.1%, and sub-30-month payback on new openings support a self-funded expansion model.

CAVA targets two principal consumer segments: health-conscious diners seeking customizable Mediterranean meals with high-protein and fresh-ingredient options, and value-conscious consumers in the K-shaped economy seeking premium-but-accessible fast-casual meals above $30 in ticket size. Brand strategy emphasizes Mediterranean culinary authenticity through founder narratives, partnerships with local suppliers (Damascus Bakeries, Manoli Canoli Olives, Just Date), and experiential marketing (e.g., Mediterranean Summer Supper Series with Airbnb Experiences). The company's competitive positioning is reinforced by named recognition as America's Favorite Healthy Chain Restaurant in 2025 (Delish) and a leadership structure led by co-founder and CEO Brett Schulman, supported by functional CXOs across finance, operations, people, and concept.

Name

Cava Group

Legal name

CAVA Group, Inc.

Website

https://cava.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

CAVA Group (NYSE: CAVA) operates 459 company-owned Mediterranean fast-casual restaurants across 29 U.S. states, serving customizable bowls and pitas with proprietary dips. The publicly traded company also distributes its dips and dressings through grocery retail, generating approximately $1.18 billion in FY2025 revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fast Casual Mediterranean Dining

NAICS

Limited-Service Restaurants (722513), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Middle Eastern & Mediterranean QSR (Kebab, Shawarma, Falafel) (THAFAAAG)

Keywords

• Fast casual dining
• Mediterranean cuisine
• Restaurant chain
• Packaged dips
• Catering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Company-Owned Restaurant Sales: CAVA generates the majority of its revenue from company-owned fast-casual Mediterranean restaurants, with Q1 2026 revenue of $434.4 million representing 32.2% year-over-year growth. Full-year FY2025 revenue surpassed $1 billion for the first time at approximately $1.16-1.17 billion. Average unit volumes have grown from approximately $2.3 million at IPO to over $3 million today.
2. Catering: CAVA generates catering revenue through its catering platform at catering.cava.com, offering Mediterranean catering for events and corporate occasions as a supplementary revenue stream.
3. Retail / Grocery Products: CAVA sells its proprietary dips, spreads, and dressings at retail through grocery partners including Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, Giant, MOM's Organic Market, H-E-B, and other regional grocers nationwide. Products include Traditional Hummus, Tzatziki, Crazy Feta, Harissa, Greek Green Goddess Dip, and various dressings including Lemon Herb Tahini, Yogurt Dill, and Greek Vinaigrette.
4. Gift Cards: CAVA sells physical and eGift cards at any CAVA location and online, in denominations from $5 to $200. eGift cards are available for purchase online and can be used at any participating CAVA restaurant for food, drink, or in-restaurant items.
5. Merchandise (CAVA Shop): CAVA launched the CAVA Shop merchandise store at shop.cava.com selling branded merchandise to consumers, representing a new revenue stream launched in November 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CAVA Group operates a vertically integrated Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain selling customizable bowls, pitas, plates, and sides across 459 company-owned U.S. locations. Beyond restaurants, it sells its proprietary dips, spreads, and dressings at grocery retailers, offers Mediterranean catering for groups and events, operates a branded merchandise store, and provides a mobile app with a loyalty rewards program that drives digital ordering.

Product overview

CAVA Group operates as a vertically integrated Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain with over 459 locations across the United States. The core offering consists of customizable bowls and pitas featuring Mediterranean ingredients, complemented by retail grocery products (dips and dressings sold at Whole Foods, Wegmans, and other retailers), a mobile ordering app, catering services, a rewards loyalty program, gift cards, and merchandise. The company also operates its own manufacturing facilities in Laurel, MD and Verona, VA to produce signature products like Crazy Feta, hummus, tzatziki, and various dressings. Recent expansions include launching their first seafood protein (Glazed Salmon), the CAVA Shop merchandise line, and the Flavor Your Future employee development platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CAVA Mediterranean Bowls Customizable Mediterranean bowls featuring proteins (chicken, steak, falafel, salmon, lamb), grains, greens, hummus, and toppings. Core menu items include Chicken + Rice Bowl, Greek Salad Bowl, Harissa Avocado Bowl, and the new Glazed Salmon bowls.
• CAVA Pitas Fluffy pita sandwiches filled with customizable Mediterranean ingredients including proteins, vegetables, and signature dips and spreads.
• CAVA Catering Mediterranean catering service for events small to huge, ordered online via catering.cava.com, offering customizable bowls, pitas, platters, and sides for group dining occasions.
• CAVA Grocery Dips & Dressings Retail packaged goods sold at grocery retailers nationwide including Traditional Hummus, Tzatziki, Crazy Feta, Harissa, Greek Green Goddess Dip, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Spicy Hummus, and dressings such as Lemon Herb Tahini, Yogurt Dill, and Greek Vinaigrette. Distributed at Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, Giant, MOM's Organic Market, H-E-B, Dierbergs, and other regional grocers.
• CAVA Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling online ordering, pickup scheduling, delivery, rewards tracking, and order history management. Digital sales represent over 36% of total revenue.
• CAVA Rewards Loyalty program offering points for purchases, status matching, free pita chips promotions, and exclusive offers for members. Drives approximately one-third of sales.
• CAVA Gift Cards Physical and digital gift cards available in denominations from $5 to $200, usable at any participating CAVA location or for app and web orders.
• The CAVA Shop Online merchandise store at shop.cava.com selling branded CAVA apparel, accessories, and collectibles (including Pita Chip Plushies) to consumers.
• Glazed Salmon (first seafood protein) First seafood protein on the CAVA menu — roasted salmon fillet with a house-made pomegranate glaze, available nationwide in two Chef Curations bowls (Salmon + Strawberry Sesame Bowl and Salmon + Yogurt Dill Bowl).

Quantifiable outcome

• Same-restaurant sales growth of 9.7% with 6.8% traffic increase in Q1 2026, significantly outperforming peer Chipotle's 0.5%
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Airbnb ExperiencesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026CAVA partnered with Airbnb Experiences to launch the Mediterranean Summer Supper Series, featuring three dining events across the United States beginning June 22. Events include a solstice celebration in Los Angeles hosted by Outstanding in the Field, a soccer-themed event in New York City with Flavors of the Game, and a fan-voted finale in a city without a CAVA location. Airbnb Experience tickets priced at $15.
• Just DateminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026CAVA sources its pomegranate molasses for the Glazed Salmon from Just Date, a female-founded company founded by Dr. Sylvie Royston, a physician and mother of two who developed alternatives to refined sugar.
• Gabby Thomas (Olympic Sprinter)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 January 2026Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas partnered with CAVA as a brand ambassador, representing the brand's positioning around health, performance, and Mediterranean cuisine.
• Clix (Gaming Creator)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 October 2024CAVA partnered with gaming creator Clix for a curated menu item, gamified rewards, and an epic PC giveaway, leveraging gaming community engagement to reach new audiences.
• Outstanding in the FieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAVA partnered with Outstanding in the Field for the solstice celebration in Los Angeles as part of the Mediterranean Summer Supper Series, with local chefs and food sourced from Wattles Farm.
• Flavors of the GameminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAVA partnered with Flavors of the Game for the New York City event in the Mediterranean Summer Supper Series, featuring a soccer-themed event with celebrated chefs and legendary athletes at Rockefeller Center.
• Damascus BakeriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAVA's perfectly chewy sprouted grain pita is made by Damascus Bakeries, a family-owned business founded in Brooklyn in 1930, now in its third generation of ownership with Edward and David Mafoud maintaining traditional recipes with seven freshly milled grains.
• Manoli Canoli OlivesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAVA sources olives from Stavros Manolakos, an olive oil sommelier and supplier since the company's early days, with olives grown and hand-picked from trees in Greece's Kalamata and Sparta regions.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Restaurant Brands International: RBI operates Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs—broader QSR incumbents with comparable focus on unit-level economics, international expansion and digital sales mix. RBI provides a useful comparable for how multi-brand restaurant platforms scale operations and tech infrastructure.
• Yum! Brands: Yum! is a broader QSR incumbent operating KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut with a comparable focus on digital ordering, loyalty (Yum's Royalty/Heart Program) and unit-level economics. CAVA is sometimes positioned as the next-generation challenger that captures occasions adjacent to traditional QSR brands.
• Texas Roadhouse: While Texas Roadhouse is a casual-dining steakhouse rather than Mediterranean fast-casual, it is one of the most-cited comp-driven restaurant growth stories of the past several years, with strong traffic growth and unit-economics discipline that serve as a comparable benchmark for restaurant equity narratives similar to CAVA's.
• McDonald's: McDonald's is the global QSR incumbent and benchmark for digital sales penetration (over 35% in many markets), loyalty scale (MyMcDonald's Rewards) and unit-economics discipline. While menus differ, McDonald's serves as the reference point for digital/loyalty monetization and global QSR scale that CAVA aspires to.

Direct peers

• Sweetgreen: Sweetgreen is the most direct head-to-head peer in the healthy/premium fast-casual segment, with a similar customizable bowl model, comparable AUV and digital/loyalty strategy. CAVA and Sweetgreen compete for the same health-conscious, urban consumer occasion and analyst investors frequently model them as a paired comparable.
• Wingstop: Wingstop has been a recent comparable for comp-driven, unit-growth-led fast-casual outperformance, with industry-leading same-restaurant sales growth, strong restaurant-level margins (~30%+) and a digital-led model. Investors frequently pair Wingstop and CAVA as high-growth fast-casual benchmarks.
• Shake Shack: Shake Shack is a premium fast-casual operator with comparable AUVs (~$3M+), strong comp-driven equity narrative and a similar focus on digital sales mix. While menus differ, the unit economics, growth-by-unit-economics story and consumer demographic closely mirror CAVA's positioning.
• Panera Bread: Panera (JAB-owned) is the legacy category leader in healthy fast-casual, with a strong loyalty program (MyPanera), a similar café/digital ordering model and grocery retail CPG extensions (Panera at-home soups). CAVA is widely viewed as the next-generation challenger to Panera's customer and occasion.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill: Chipotle is the closest large-cap fast-casual comparable to CAVA—customizable bowls/assembly format, comp-driven equity story, similar AUV economics ($3M+) and digital/loyalty emphasis. CAVA is frequently benchmarked against Chipotle's comps and unit-growth trajectory as the reference point for fast-casual outperformance.

Emerging players

• Dig (formerly Dig Inn): Dig is a smaller, emerging healthy fast-casual chain focused on seasonal bowls, proteins and vegetables—directly overlapping CAVA's health-conscious consumer occasion. While smaller in scale, Dig is a relevant emerging competitor in the same ingredient-forward, customizable format.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Cava
• Facebookfacebook.com/cava
• Instagraminstagram.com/cava
• TikToktiktok.com/@cava?lang=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cava-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds10 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cava Group