Cava Group Q1 Revenue Up 32%, Raises EBITDA Guidance to $181–191M
CAVA Group reported Q1 adjusted EPS of $0.20, beating analyst estimates of $0.17, as revenue rose 32.2% year-over-year to $438.3 million, topping forecasts. Management raised full-year same-store sales outlook to 4.5–6.5% and boosted adjusted EBITDA guidance to $181–191 million while opening 20 net restaurants.
1. Q1 Financial Results
Cava Group delivered adjusted earnings of $0.20 per share in Q1, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.17. Revenue rose 32.2% year-over-year to $438.3 million, while adjusted EBITDA jumped 37.6% to $61.7 million, representing a 14.1% margin.
2. Growth Drivers
Same-store sales climbed 9.7%, with guest traffic contributing a 6.8% lift and menu price and mix adding 2.9%. Restaurant-level profit margin held steady at 25.1%.
3. Expansion and Operations
The company opened 20 net new restaurants in the quarter, bringing the total to 459 locations, a 20.2% increase from last year. New market entries included Cincinnati, St. Louis and Columbus.
4. Full-Year Guidance
Cava raised its full-year same-store sales outlook to a 4.5–6.5% increase, up from 3.0–5.0%. Adjusted EBITDA guidance was boosted to $181 million–$191 million, and net new restaurant openings are now projected at 75–77 locations.