Cava Group (CAVA)
NYSEConsumer DiscretionaryRestaurantsSnapshot 2026-09-04
$60.76-1.48%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEConsumer DiscretionaryRestaurantsSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · CAVA
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue opening new CAVA restaurants to grow total locations and market presence.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Total CAVA restaurants increased from 439 in 2025-Q4 to 476 in 2026-Q2, with net new openings of 24, 20, and 17 respectively. Management consistently emphasizes new restaurant growth and is delivering on expanding locations.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated strong grew net income 63% of the time over the next year (vs 50% for the rest of the cohort, n=5213).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
“17 net new CAVA restaurant openings during quarter”
“20 net new CAVA restaurant openings during the quarter”
“Net new CAVA restaurant openings of 24”
Drive growth in same restaurant sales through guest traffic and menu price/mix improvements.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Same restaurant sales improved significantly from 0.5% in 2025-Q4 to 9.7% in 2026-Q1 and 9.0% in 2026-Q2, driven by guest traffic growth of 5.3%-6.8%. Management is delivering strong growth in this metric.
“Same restaurant sales increased 9.0%, including guest traffic growth of 5.3%”
“Same restaurant sales grew 9.7%, including traffic growth of 6.8%”
“Same restaurant sales increased by 0.5%”
Sustain restaurant-level profit margins near 24% despite cost pressures and growth investments.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Restaurant-level profit margin improved from 21.4% in 2025-Q4 to 25.7% in 2026-Q2, exceeding the fiscal 2026 guidance range of 23.7% to 24.3%. Management is delivering margins above target despite cost pressures.
“CAVA restaurant-level profit margin of 25.7%”
“CAVA restaurant-level profit margin of 25.1%”
“CAVA restaurant-level profit margin of 21.4%”
Control pre-opening expenses to stay within the guided range for fiscal 2026.
Stated as a priority in 2 of last 2 quarters. Management raised fiscal 2026 pre-opening cost guidance from $19.5-$20.0 million in Q1 to $22.0-$22.5 million in Q2, reflecting updated expectations. The trajectory shows management actively managing and updating cost targets.
“Pre-opening costs $22.0 to $22.5 million”
“Pre-opening costs $19.5 to $20.0 million”
Grow Adjusted EBITDA to the guided range for fiscal 2026 through operational improvements and growth.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Adjusted EBITDA rose from $25.8 million in 2025-Q4 to $61.7 million in 2026-Q1 and $54.7 million in 2026-Q2, reflecting strong operational growth. Management reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance of $181.0 to $191.0 million, showing delivery on this priority.
“Adjusted EBITDA grew 30.0% to $54.7 million”
“Adjusted EBITDA grew 37.6% to $61.7 million”
“Adjusted EBITDA of $25.8 million”
Over the trailing year it converted 2.38x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated robust grew net income 58% of the time over the next year (vs 45% for the rest of the cohort, n=3652).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity, long-term interest rates (low R² over the window).
7 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Consumer Discretionary names rated neutral grew net income 48% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=2538).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.