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Cava Group, Inc.. (CAVA) Stock Fundamental Analysis & AI Rating 2026

CAVA NYSE Retail-Eating Places DE CIK: 0001639438
Updated This Month • Analysis: Mar 21, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-28
Combined AI Rating
HOLD
70% Confidence
STRONG AGREEMENT
HOLD
62% Conf
HOLD
78% Conf

📊 CAVA Key Takeaways

Revenue: $1.2B
Net Margin: 5.4%
Free Cash Flow: $26.1M
Current Ratio: 2.65x
Debt/Equity: 0.00x
EPS: $0.54
AI Rating: HOLD with 62% confidence
Cava Group, Inc.. (CAVA) receives a HOLD rating with 70% confidence from our AI fundamental analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $1.2B, net profit margin of 5.4%, and return on equity (ROE) of 8.2%, Cava Group, Inc.. demonstrates mixed fundamentals in the Consumer sector. Below is our complete CAVA stock analysis for 2026.

Is Cava Group, Inc.. (CAVA) a Good Investment?

Claude

CAVA demonstrates solid revenue growth of 22.4% YoY and maintains healthy liquidity with a 2.65x current ratio and $282.9M cash position. However, profitability deterioration is concerning, with net income declining 51.1% YoY despite revenue expansion, indicating margin compression and operational challenges that require monitoring.

ChatGPT

CAVA shows strong top-line momentum, a debt-free balance sheet, and ample liquidity, which supports continued expansion and reduces financial risk. However, the sharp year-over-year decline in net income and EPS, combined with thin restaurant-level profitability and modest free cash flow conversion after heavy capital spending, suggests growth quality still needs to prove itself.

Why Buy Cava Group, Inc.. Stock? CAVA Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Strong revenue growth of 22.4% YoY showing market traction and expansion
  • + Excellent liquidity position with 2.65x current ratio and $282.9M cash reserves
  • + Zero long-term debt providing financial flexibility and low leverage risk
  • + Positive operating cash flow of $184.8M supporting operational sustainability
ChatGPT
  • + Revenue growth remains strong at 22.4% year over year, indicating continued customer demand and unit expansion traction.
  • + Balance sheet quality is high, with $282.92M in cash, no meaningful long-term debt, and strong liquidity ratios above 2.5x.
  • + Operating cash flow of $184.84M is solid and supports reinvestment without reliance on leverage.

CAVA Stock Risks: Cava Group, Inc.. Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Net income collapsed 51.1% YoY while revenue grew 22.4%, indicating severe margin compression
  • ! Net margin of only 5.4% and operating margin of 4.7% are thin for restaurant retail
  • ! Free cash flow of only $26.1M (2.2% FCF margin) after capital expenditures suggests limited cash generation efficiency
  • ! Capital expenditures of $158.7M consume 86% of operating cash flow, limiting distribution capacity
  • ! ROE of 8.2% and ROA of 4.7% are concerning for a growth-stage company
ChatGPT
  • ! Net income fell 51.1% year over year, indicating earnings are not currently scaling with revenue growth.
  • ! Margins remain thin, with 4.7% operating margin and 5.4% net margin, leaving limited room for execution mistakes or cost inflation.
  • ! Free cash flow is modest at $26.14M due to heavy capital expenditure, so expansion is currently consuming much of operating cash generation.

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Operating margin trend and gross margin sustainability amid cost inflation
  • * Free cash flow generation and capital intensity of new unit expansion
  • * Same-store sales growth and unit economics to assess organic growth quality
  • * Net income recovery trajectory and path to normalized profitability
  • * Capital expenditure efficiency and return on invested capital
ChatGPT
  • * Operating margin and net income growth relative to revenue growth
  • * Free cash flow generation after capital expenditures

Cava Group, Inc.. (CAVA) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$1.2B
Net Income
$63.7M
EPS (Diluted)
$0.54
Free Cash Flow
$26.1M
Total Assets
$1.4B
Cash Position
$282.9M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The relatively thin 2.2% FCF margin may limit capital allocation flexibility. Strong liquidity with a 2.65x current ratio provides a solid financial cushion.

CAVA Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin 16.1%
Operating Margin 4.7%
Net Margin 5.4%
ROE 8.2%
ROA 4.7%
FCF Margin 2.2%

CAVA vs Consumer Sector: How Cava Group, Inc.. Compares

How Cava Group, Inc.. compares to Consumer sector averages

Net Margin
CAVA 5.4%
vs
Sector Avg 8.0%
CAVA Sector
ROE
CAVA 8.2%
vs
Sector Avg 18.0%
CAVA Sector
Current Ratio
CAVA 2.7x
vs
Sector Avg 1.5x
CAVA Sector
Debt/Equity
CAVA 0.0x
vs
Sector Avg 0.8x
CAVA Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is Cava Group, Inc.. Stock Overvalued? CAVA Valuation Analysis 2026

Based on fundamental analysis, Cava Group, Inc.. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Consumer sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
8.2%
Sector avg: 18%
Net Profit Margin
5.4%
Sector avg: 8%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
0.00x
Sector avg: 0.8x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

Cava Group, Inc.. Balance Sheet: CAVA Debt, Cash & Liquidity

Current Ratio
2.65x
Quick Ratio
2.59x
Debt/Equity
0.00x
Debt/Assets
42.7%
Interest Coverage
N/A
Long-term Debt
N/A

CAVA Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

CAVA 5-year financial data: Year 2023: Revenue $728.7M, Net Income -$37.4M, EPS $-51.06. Year 2024: Revenue $963.7M, Net Income -$59.0M, EPS $-44.41. Year 2025: Revenue $1.2B, Net Income $13.3M, EPS $0.21.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Cava Group, Inc..'s revenue has grown significantly by 62% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $0.21 reflects profitable operations.

CAVA Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
2.2%
Free cash flow / Revenue

CAVA Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Cava Group, Inc.. including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q3 2025 $243.8M $14.7M $0.12
Q2 2025 $233.5M $18.4M $0.16
Q1 2025 $259.0M $14.0M $0.12
Q3 2024 $175.6M $6.8M $0.06
Q2 2024 $172.9M $4.4M $0.17
Q1 2024 $203.1M -$2.1M $0.12
Q3 2023 $139.3M $6.8M $0.06
Q2 2023 $135.9M $4.4M $0.21

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

Cava Group, Inc.. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$184.8M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$3.1M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$158.7M
Investment in assets
Dividends
None
No dividend program

CAVA SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Cava Group, Inc.. (CIK: 0001639438)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 25, 2026 8-K cava-20260320.htm View →
Mar 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1772831244.xml View →
Mar 2, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1772487332.xml View →
Mar 2, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1772487324.xml View →
Mar 2, 2026 4 xslF345X05/wk-form4_1772487316.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about CAVA

What is the AI rating for CAVA?

Cava Group, Inc.. (CAVA) has a Combined AI Rating of HOLD from Claude (HOLD) and ChatGPT (HOLD) with 70% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are CAVA's key strengths?

Claude: Strong revenue growth of 22.4% YoY showing market traction and expansion. Excellent liquidity position with 2.65x current ratio and $282.9M cash reserves. ChatGPT: Revenue growth remains strong at 22.4% year over year, indicating continued customer demand and unit expansion traction.. Balance sheet quality is high, with $282.92M in cash, no meaningful long-term debt, and strong liquidity ratios above 2.5x..

What are the risks of investing in CAVA?

Claude: Net income collapsed 51.1% YoY while revenue grew 22.4%, indicating severe margin compression. Net margin of only 5.4% and operating margin of 4.7% are thin for restaurant retail. ChatGPT: Net income fell 51.1% year over year, indicating earnings are not currently scaling with revenue growth.. Margins remain thin, with 4.7% operating margin and 5.4% net margin, leaving limited room for execution mistakes or cost inflation..

What is CAVA's revenue and growth?

Cava Group, Inc.. reported revenue of $1.2B.

Does CAVA pay dividends?

Cava Group, Inc.. does not currently pay dividends.

Where can I find CAVA SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Cava Group, Inc.. (CIK: 0001639438) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is CAVA's EPS?

Cava Group, Inc.. has a diluted EPS of $0.54.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is CAVA a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Cava Group, Inc.. has a HOLD rating with 70% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.

Is CAVA stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for CAVA: ROE of 8.2% (sector avg: 18%), net margin of 5.4% (sector avg: 8%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.

Should I buy CAVA stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Cava Group, Inc.. a combined HOLD rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is CAVA's free cash flow?

Cava Group, Inc..'s operating cash flow is $184.8M, with capital expenditures of $158.7M. FCF margin is 2.2%.

How does CAVA compare to other Consumer stocks?

Vs Consumer sector averages: Net margin 5.4% (avg: 8%), ROE 8.2% (avg: 18%), current ratio 2.65 (avg: 1.5).

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Mar 21, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-28 | Powered by Claude AI