Cava Group Inc (CAVA) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth and Expansion ...

In This Article:

  • Revenue: Increased 28.2% year over year to $328.5 million.

  • Same Restaurant Sales Growth: Increased 10.8%, driven by 7.5% traffic growth.

  • Net New Restaurants: Opened 15 net new restaurants, totaling 382 locations, an 18.3% increase year over year.

  • Adjusted EBITDA: $44.9 million, a 34.6% increase over the first quarter of 2024.

  • Net Income: $25.7 million, an 83.7% increase over the first quarter of 2024.

  • Free Cash Flow: $2.7 million.

  • Restaurant Level Profit: $82.3 million or 25.1% of revenue, a 27.4% increase from the first quarter of 2024.

  • Food, Beverage, and Packaging Costs: 29.3% of revenue, up 110 basis points due to steak impact.

  • Labor and Related Costs: 25.7% of revenue, a decrease of 30 basis points from the first quarter of 2024.

  • Occupancy and Related Expenses: 7.4% of revenue, an improvement of 60 basis points from the first quarter of 2024.

  • General and Administrative Expenses: 10.5% of revenue, a 60-basis-point improvement from the first quarter of 2024.

  • Cash and Investments: $369.4 million with zero debt outstanding.

  • Full Year 2025 Outlook: 64 to 68 net new restaurant openings; same restaurant sales growth of 6% to 8%; restaurant level profit margin between 24.8% and 25.2%.

Release Date: May 15, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Cava Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) reported a 28.2% increase in revenue for the first quarter of 2025.

  • Same restaurant sales grew by 10.8%, driven by a 7.5% increase in traffic.

  • The company opened 15 net new restaurants, expanding its footprint to 382 locations, an 18.3% increase year over year.

  • Adjusted EBITDA increased by 34.6% to $44.9 million compared to the first quarter of 2024.

  • Cava Group Inc (NYSE:CAVA) surpassed $1 billion in revenue on a trailing 12-month basis, highlighting its leadership in the Mediterranean cuisine category.

Negative Points

  • Food, beverage, and packaging costs increased by 110 basis points due to the impact of steak, affecting overall profit margins.

  • Despite strong growth, the company faces ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties that could impact future performance.

  • Labor and related costs remain a significant expense, although they decreased slightly as a percentage of revenue.

  • Pre-opening expenses increased to $4.5 million, reflecting higher costs associated with new restaurant openings in higher rent areas.

  • The company anticipates potential challenges in maintaining the same restaurant sales growth rate due to lapping previous year's steak offerings.