CAVA reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $365.4 million, up 31.3% year-over-year, beating analyst expectations and reflecting strong demand for its Mediterranean fast-casual concept amid a challenging restaurant industry environment.
The company’s same-restaurant sales grew 9.0%, driven primarily by a 5.3% increase in guest traffic, according to the earnings release issued August 11. Earnings per share came in at $0.20 on a basic basis, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.174 per share.
CAVA opened 17 net new restaurants during the quarter, bringing its total to 476 locations—a 19.6% increase year-over-year. The company’s restaurant-level profit margin stood at 25.7%, down 60 basis points from the prior year quarter, primarily due to input costs from the April launch of its Pomegranate Glazed Salmon protein and a higher mix of third-party delivery.
The strong comparable sales performance stands out in the broader restaurant landscape. In Q2 2026, the U.S. quick-service restaurant industry saw net sales growth of 2.0% year-over-year, according to industry data, while many competitors reported single-digit same-store sales growth. Restaurant Brands International, parent of Burger King and Tim Hortons, posted global comparable sales growth of 3.8% in the same period.
CEO Brett Schulman highlighted the company’s momentum in a statement: “Same restaurant sales increased 9.0%, including guest traffic growth of 5.3%, and we opened 17 net new restaurants during the quarter. From Mishawaka, Indiana to Downingtown, Pennsylvania, our newest restaurants continue to outperform our expectations, reinforcing the proven portability of our concept and the growing demand for our differentiated Mediterranean cuisine and welcoming hospitality.”
Net income for the quarter reached $23.0 million, a 25.3% increase compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA grew 30.0% to $54.7 million, driven by higher same-restaurant sales and the strong performance of newly opened locations.
Guidance and Outlook
CAVA reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting 75 to 77 net new restaurant openings for the year, same-restaurant sales growth of 4.5% to 6.5%, and adjusted EBITDA between $181.0 million and $191.0 million. The company also guided for a restaurant-level profit margin of 23.7% to 24.3%.
The earnings call was scheduled for 5:00 PM Eastern Time on August 11, 2026, providing investors with an opportunity to hear directly from management about the company’s growth strategy and market outlook. CAVA stock has remained volatile throughout 2026, touching $95 in April before retreating, though the company’s revenue growth of over 31% year-to-date demonstrates sustained operational strength.
Sources
- CAVA Group Investor Relations — Official press release announcing Q2 2026 financial results, same-restaurant sales growth, and full-year guidance
- Restaurant Brands International — Q2 2026 earnings results providing industry context on comparable sales performance
- Yahoo Finance — Earnings expectations and analyst consensus estimates for CAVA Q2 2026
