Cava, the fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain, reported record-breaking income for fiscal 12 months 2025 on Tuesday and forecast gross sales development for fiscal 12 months 2026.
Shares gained roughly 10% in prolonged buying and selling Tuesday.
“Whereas there are a variety of components round us which are creating pressures from a margin perspective, our mannequin has allowed us to be very considerate and reduce worth will increase to our company and to shoppers typically, which actually helps elevate our price notion,” CFO Tricia Tolivar advised CNBC.
Although the corporate stated final quarter that it noticed a pullback amongst youthful shoppers, Tolivar stated that development got here to an finish within the last three months of its fiscal 12 months.
“We really noticed firming in that class, and total [we’re] seeing enchancment in our tendencies throughout earnings cohorts, age cohorts, totally different components of the nation,” Tolivar stated. “And in reality, we imagine there’s a little bit little bit of a bridge that we have been in a position to create on this Okay-shaped financial system, the place we wish to be accessible for everybody, and we’re doing our greatest to make sure that our wonderful culinary and unimaginable hospitality is there for all clients throughout the nation.”
She added that a few of Cava’s greatest performing eating places are in markets the place median family incomes are decrease.
The restaurant chain reported same-store gross sales up 0.5% in its fiscal fourth quarter, in comparison with Wall Road estimates of a 1.1% decline, based on StreetAccount. A lot of that development was because of menu costs and product combine, and partially offset by a 1.4% decline in foot site visitors, the corporate stated.
Tolivar stated Cava raised costs about 1.7% originally of 2025 and that 2026 would see “very modest will increase.”
The corporate additionally recorded 72 internet new restaurant openings in fiscal 2025 for a complete of 439 areas.
Here is how Cava carried out within the interval ended Dec. 28 in contrast with what Wall Road was anticipating, based mostly on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: 4 cents vs. 3 cents anticipated
- Income: $275 million vs. $268 million anticipated
Within the fourth quarter, Cava reported internet earnings of $4.9 million, or 4 cents per share, in comparison with $78.6 million, or 66 cents per share, within the fourth quarter of 2024.
Income of $275 million marked a rise of practically 21% 12 months over 12 months.
For the complete fiscal 12 months, the corporate reported record-breaking income surpassing $1 billion, a development of greater than 20% in comparison with the 12 months prior. Similar-restaurant gross sales for the 12 months elevated by 4%.
“We imagine our momentum displays extra than simply enlargement,” CEO Brett Schulman stated on a name with analysts. “It indicators that our price proposition is resonating with at the moment’s more and more discerning client, and as company grow to be extra intentional with their spend, they’re selecting manufacturers like Cava that ship actual differentiation via daring flavors, wholesome meals and hospitality that creates significant human connection.”
For fiscal 12 months 2026, Cava stated it expects 74 to 76 internet new restaurant openings, along with same-store gross sales development of three% to five%.
Tolivar stated the corporate is anticipating robust outcomes from its upcoming menu additions, together with a salmon providing, which is able to mark Cava’s first entry into seafood.
