Cava Reports Record Revenue, Projects Continued Growth in 2026

Cava, the fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain, announced record-breaking revenue for fiscal year 2025 and provided a positive outlook for fiscal year 2026, sending its shares up roughly 10% in extended trading on Tuesday.

Financial Highlights for Fiscal Year 2025

The company surpassed $1 billion in revenue for the full fiscal year, representing a growth of more than 20% compared to the prior year. Same-restaurant sales increased by 4% for the year. In the fourth quarter, Cava reported net income of $4.9 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to $78.6 million, or $0.66 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2024. Revenue for the quarter reached $275 million, a nearly 21% increase year-over-year.

Q4 Performance Exceeds Expectations

Cava’s same-store sales increased 0.5% in the fiscal fourth quarter, exceeding Wall Street estimates of a 1.1% decline, according to StreetAccount. This growth was driven by menu prices and product mix, partially offset by a 1.4% decline in foot traffic. The company implemented a price increase of approximately 1.7% at the beginning of 2025 and anticipates “very modest increases” in 2026.

Expansion Continues

Cava opened 72 net new restaurants in fiscal year 2025, bringing the total number of locations to 439. The company plans to continue its expansion with 74 to 76 net new restaurant openings in fiscal year 2026. Cava entered the Midwest market in April 2024 with its first Chicago restaurant in the Wicker Park neighborhood [1], and has since added additional locations, including one in the Willis Tower. [4]

Addressing Consumer Trends and Value Perception

Despite a previous pullback among younger consumers noted last quarter, Cava CFO Tricia Tolivar reported a firming trend in that demographic during the final three months of the fiscal year. The company is seeing improvement in trends across various income and age groups. Tolivar emphasized Cava’s commitment to accessibility, stating the company aims to be “accessible for everyone” while maintaining its culinary quality and hospitality. She noted that some of Cava’s best-performing restaurants are located in areas with lower median household incomes.

New Menu Offerings

Looking ahead, Cava expects strong performance from upcoming menu additions, including the introduction of a salmon offering, marking the company’s first entry into seafood. [3]

Fiscal Year 2026 Outlook

For fiscal year 2026, Cava projects same-store sales growth of 3% to 5%.