CAVA Group Reports Third-Quarter Earnings
The restaurant chain's report comes after a Cyclospora scare, a salmon menu launch and a 500th restaurant opening.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Dining Out
CAVA Group reports third-quarter earnings Wednesday after the bell, with Wall Street expecting earnings of $0.12 per share on revenue of $358.4 million. Analysts forecast same-restaurant sales growth of 3.6%, down from 9% last quarter.
Why it matters
The expected slowdown follows a Cyclospora scare involving contaminated lettuce that drove sales growth to barely above zero, though CAVA said its ingredients were not involved. The result will show whether the chain's sales have recovered from that disruption.
Analysts expect $358.4 million in revenue and 3.6% same-restaurant sales growth, compared with 9% last quarter. Options traders are pricing in a roughly 12.3% earnings move, equivalent to about $7.40 per share at Tuesday's $60.31 closing price.
The players
CAVA Group
CAVA Group is a publicly traded fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain whose quarterly results are closely watched by investors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC is the U.S. federal public health agency that investigates foodborne illness outbreaks and declared the Cyclospora outbreak over.
The details
Management said its April salmon launch boosted sales mix but contributed to a 60-basis-point decline in restaurant-level profit margin. Sales growth recovered to the mid-single digits by early August, and the company maintained full-year same-restaurant sales guidance of 4.5% to 6.5%.
Timeline
April: CAVA launched its salmon menu item.
Early August: Sales growth recovered to mid-single digits.
September 11: The CDC declared the Cyclospora outbreak over.
September: CAVA opened its 500th restaurant.
Wednesday: CAVA reports third-quarter earnings after the bell.
Industry Dynamics
The Cyclospora scare that hit CAVA's sales is part of a broader pattern in which produce-borne outbreaks disrupt fast-casual chains that rely heavily on fresh greens. Recovery in CAVA's same-restaurant sales is measured against that outbreak's disruption rather than general consumer demand.
Diners who rely on CAVA's menu can expect continued availability of its core offerings, and the planned catering expansion may bring the chain's food to more customers in new markets. Price and menu changes tied to the salmon launch and margin pressures could affect what customers pay in the months ahead.
The takeaway
Restaurant chains can recover from food-safety disruptions, but margin pressures from menu launches can lag behind sales rebounds. Watching same-restaurant sales alongside profit margin gives a clearer picture of a chain's health.
What happens next
CAVA plans to expand its Houston catering pilot into a second market this fall.
Further reading
For more on restaurant chains and menus, see Dining Out coverage.
