Description

CAVA Group’s $3 Million Unit Volumes: Is The Expansion Playbook Working?

The full first quarter 2026 results of CAVA, Inc. reflect continued growth and operational execution amidst a complex macroeconomic environment. The company reported a 32.2% year-over-year increase in revenue to $434.4 million and a same-restaurant sales rise of 9.7%, fueled by a 6.8% traffic increase. The restaurant base expanded by 20 net new locations to 459, spanning 29 states and the District of Columbia, with new restaurants outperforming expectations and maintaining above 100% productivity. Systemwide average unit volumes reached $3 million, and restaurant-level profit grew 32.3% to $108.9 million, representing 25.1% of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA rose 37.6% to $61.7 million, supported by sales momentum and strong unit economics despite increased preopening costs and investments. Net income was $23.6 million, slightly down from $25.7 million in the prior year’s quarter, attributed mainly to a reduced equity-based compensation tax benefit. Diluted EPS declined to $0.20 from $0.22.