CAVA Group reported third quarter 2026 results that fell short of analyst expectations as comparable sales growth decelerated. While the company achieved its 500th restaurant milestone ahead of schedule, results were pressured by food safety headwinds and margin contraction.
Key Highlights
- Same-restaurant sales grew 3.1%, missing the 3.6% estimate, including a 150-basis point drag from Cyclospora-related produce concerns.
- Restaurant-level profit margin contracted by 120 basis points to 23.4% due to incremental labor investments and a higher mix of dilutive third-party delivery.
- The company opened 24 net new restaurants in the quarter, supporting 22.1% CAVA segment revenue growth despite broader industry traffic pressures.