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Surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue, marking a transition from a newly public company to a sustainable large-scale growth enterprise.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Achieved market share gains driven by a value proposition that resonates with increasingly intentional consumers seeking bold flavors and healthy options.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Maintained a disciplined pricing strategy, taking less than half the price increases of industry peers to reinforce long-term guest trust.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Strengthened the leadership pipeline through the ‘Flavor Your Future’ initiative, filling 60% of new Assistant General Manager roles primarily through internal promotions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Implemented a new field leadership model with zone and market leaders to increase accountability and proximity to restaurants as the footprint scales.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Completed the rollout of TurboChef ovens across the fleet to ensure culinary consistency and enable the upcoming launch of premium proteins.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Leveraged the new KDS system in 370 locations to improve digital order accuracy and operational simplicity for team members.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Plans to open 74 to 76 net new restaurants in 2026, including entries into Midwest markets like Cincinnati, St. Louis, Columbus, and Minneapolis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Anticipates same-restaurant sales growth of 3% to 5%, aligning with the long-term algorithm despite current trends tracking above this range.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Expects a 100 basis point restaurant-level margin headwind starting in Q2 due to the launch of Pomegranate-glazed Salmon, though it remains penny profit neutral.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Assumes a 90% new restaurant productivity rate for the 2026 cohort to remain conservative amid a dynamic macroeconomic landscape.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Targets a second market test for the catering channel later in 2026 with a potential broader expansion beginning in 2027.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Implemented a 1.4% in-restaurant menu price adjustment in January 2026, excluding base bowls to protect everyday value.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Appointed Doug Thompson as Chief Operations Officer to lead the next phase of operational scaling and talent development.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Projected effective tax rate increase to 25%-30% for 2026 due to lower anticipated permanent benefits from equity-based compensation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Transitioning to a performance-based Long-Term Incentive program with a 3-year vesting period, accelerating expense recognition in the first half of 2026.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Management attributed the strength to a ‘CAVA bowl’ effect of multiple initiatives, including improved brand awareness (now 62%) and consistent value delivery.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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The reacceleration reflects the brand emerging from short-term cyclical headwinds and high hurdles faced in the prior year.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
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