Bloomberg Talks Cava CEO & Co-Founder Brett Schulman Talks Earnings
Aug 13, 2025
Cava's CEO, Brett Schulman, discusses the company's earnings and how it navigates growth challenges in a competitive market. He highlights strategic plans for expansion and improving operations. The fast-casual business model is examined, focusing on customer engagement and pricing strategies. Schulman also emphasizes balancing efficiency with warmth in the dining experience and the role of technology in shaping the future of dining, reinforcing community connections.
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Growth Versus Tough Comps
- Cava's same-restaurant sales were affected by tough comparisons, not fundamental decline.
- The company still shows strong multi-year traffic growth and accelerated two-year comps from Q1 to Q2.
Strong Unit Economics Fuel Expansion
- Cava's average unit volumes rose from $2.3M to $3M, showing robust unit economics.
- The chain is free-cash-flow positive and funding ~18% annual unit growth toward 1,000 restaurants by 2032.
Prioritize Profitable Unit Growth
- Do prioritize disciplined unit growth while protecting margins to scale profitably.
- Cava plans to outperform its guidance and maintain high-velocity openings this year.