$360.1 million in second-quarter revenue is what analysts expect from CAVA Group (NYSE: CAVA) when the Mediterranean fast-casual chain reports after the market close on August 11. That figure implies 28.3% year-over-year growth. Consensus also calls for GAAP earnings per share of $0.18, up from $0.16 in the year-ago quarter.
Key estimates at a glance
| Metric | Year-ago | Q2 2026 consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | n/a | $360.1M |
| Revenue growth | n/a | +28.3% YoY |
| GAAP EPS | $0.16 | $0.18 |
What foot-traffic data shows
Location intelligence firm Placer.ai tracked a 24.6% rise in visits to CAVA stores, including new locations, over the second quarter. That is the clearest third-party proxy for top-line performance ahead of the official print.
A cyclospora outbreak that began in mid-July, linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms used at Taco Bell locations, weighed on Cava foot traffic for at least a few days, per Placer.ai. Sweetgreen slashed its full-year guidance citing the outbreak even though it does not use iceberg lettuce and was not directly implicated. A separate salmonella outbreak connected to jalapeños at Chipotle Mexican Grill stores in Minnesota added to sector pressure. Cava has not been linked to either event.
Peer context and the macro trade
Chipotle Mexican Grill posted its strongest comparable-sales growth in six quarters in Q2, though the result reached just 2.2%. Chipotle credited menu innovation, expanded catering, and rewards-program engagement. CAVA has historically printed comparable-sales growth in the double digits since its 2023 IPO, placing even a moderate deceleration well above Chipotle's recent benchmark.
The broader fast-casual sector has faced inflation pressure and what some economists now call the "little treat economy," where Gen Z and millennial consumers direct spending toward affordable meals rather than larger purchases like homeownership. That framing, if it holds, favors CAVA's price point.
Stock position going into the print
CAVA shares are up 6% year-to-date, trailing the S&P 500, and have retreated sharply from an April high even as the broad market has climbed. The stock trades at less than six times sales. Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread, backed the company as an early investor before its 2023 IPO. As one of the last in its sector to report, the August 11 result will double as a read on fast-casual demand heading into the back half of the year.