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Cava Tops Q4 Estimates, Sets 2026 Growth Targets After Topping $1 Billion in Sales

Guidance leans on modest pricing, rapid expansion, loyalty gains, new menu tests.

Overview

  • Cava posted record fiscal-2025 revenue above $1 billion with 72 net new restaurants, ending the year at 439 locations and full-year net income of about $63.7 million.
  • Q4 results beat expectations with EPS of $0.04 and revenue of roughly $275 million as same-store sales rose 0.5% on pricing and mix while traffic fell 1.4%.
  • Management guided to 2026 same-store sales growth of 3%–5%, plans 74–76 net openings, and projects adjusted EBITDA of $176 million–$184 million with restaurant-level margins targeted at 23.7%–24.2%.
  • The stock jumped roughly 20%–25% after the report as analysts raised targets, including Jefferies at $85, Bernstein at $84, Needham and TD Cowen at $90, and Telsey at $88.
  • Cava cited growth levers including a loyalty program contributing about one-third of sales, a new invite-only Oasis tier, catering tests in Houston, and a forthcoming salmon item, while flagging commodity, wage, and tariff pressures as risks.