CAVA Q1 revenue jumps 32.2% to $438.3M, raises full-year guidance
Q1 revenue rose 32.2% to $438.3 million, driven by 9.7% same-restaurant sales growth—6.8 points from traffic and 2.9 from pricing—and pushed adjusted EBITDA up 37.6% to $61.7 million. CAVA added 20 locations and raised full-year comparable-sales guidance to 4.5%–6.5%, EBITDA to $181 million–$191 million, and unit-opening targets to 75–77.
1. First-Quarter Financial Results
CAVA reported revenue of $438.3 million, a 32.2% increase year-over-year, and diluted EPS of $0.20, down from $0.22 due to a higher effective tax rate and increased depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA rose 37.6% to $61.7 million, while restaurant-level profit margin held steady at 25.1%.
2. Sales Mix Drivers
Same-restaurant sales climbed 9.7%, with a 6.8 percentage-point lift from guest traffic and 2.9 points from menu pricing and product mix. Increased wage costs and a higher proportion of third-party delivery orders modestly offset margin gains.
3. Store Expansion
The company added 20 net new restaurants during the quarter, increasing its total to 459 locations, a 20.2% year-over-year gain. Expansion included new entries into Midwest cities such as Cincinnati, St. Louis and Columbus.
4. Raised Full-Year Outlook
CAVA raised its comparable-sales guidance to 4.5%–6.5%, adjusted EBITDA forecast to $181 million–$191 million (up from $176 million–$184 million), and net unit-opening target to 75–77 restaurants, up from 74–76.