Overview
- The company’s first-quarter results, released Friday, showed revenue of $438.27 million and adjusted EPS of $0.20, beating analyst expectations as guest traffic rose 6.8% and total revenue grew about 32% year over year.
- CAVA raised its sales and profit framework, boosting the full-year same-store sales outlook to 7.8% and lifting fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $181 million–$191 million.
- Expansion remained a core lever: the chain opened 20 new restaurants in the quarter to reach 459 locations and plans to open 75–77 new sites this fiscal year.
- The company ended the quarter with $295.77 million in cash and maintains a strong liquidity profile that management says supports continued unit growth without adding debt.
- Investors reacted modestly with shares trading slightly higher and analysts will watch whether traffic-driven sales and high digital penetration can sustain rapid openings while new menu rollouts and energy costs weigh on margins.