Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values (2026) of CAVA Group, Inc.

CAVA Group, Inc. has rapidly evolved from a single concept into a leading Mediterranean fast-casual brand that, since its founding in 2006, now operates in over 380 locations nationwide and, with its 2018 acquisition of Zoës Kitchen, cemented a broader market presence; the company's mission-to "bring heart, health, and humanity to food"-drives initiatives spanning responsible sourcing and eco-conscious operations, underpins core values like Generosity First, Constant Curiosity, Agility, Passion for Positivity, and Collective Ambition, and aligns with a public-market milestone when CAVA went public in June 2023 (NYSE: CAVA) as it pursues an ambitious growth target of 1,000 restaurants by 2032, all while prioritizing wholesome, customizable menu offerings and community-focused programs that invite guests and team members to share in a Mediterranean-inspired table.

CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA) - Intro

• Founded: 2006
• Store footprint: 380+ locations nationwide (corporate and franchised locations combined)
• Major acquisition: Zoës Kitchen (acquired in 2018)
• Public listing: IPO in June 2023 - NYSE: CAVA

• Mission: Nourish communities - offering flavorful, wholesome Mediterranean food while fostering human connection and opportunity for team members.
• Vision: Make Mediterranean food the go-to choice for everyday meals in the U.S., scaling sustainably while preserving quality and brand culture.
• Core values:
  • Food integrity - fresh, high-quality ingredients and culinary authenticity.
  • People-first culture - investing in team development, equity and inclusive workplaces.
  • Community impact - local partnerships and charitable programs that feed and support neighborhoods.
  • Sustainability - responsible sourcing, waste reduction and eco-conscious operations.
  • Operational excellence - consistent guest experience, innovation and scalable systems.

• Ingredient sourcing: prioritizes seasonal produce, antibiotic-free proteins where feasible, and partnerships with suppliers committed to humane and regenerative practices.
• Waste & packaging: ongoing initiatives to reduce single-use plastics, increase recyclable/compostable packaging, and measure food waste at distribution and restaurant levels.
• Energy & facilities: rolling upgrades to improve energy efficiency across new-build and remodeled stores, plus electrification pilots in select markets.

• Workforce development: structured training programs, internal mobility pathways, and benefits designed to reduce turnover and increase lifetime value of team members.
• Community programs: local fundraising, food donation partnerships, and targeted support through nonprofit collaborations in core markets.
• Post-acquisition integration: Zoës Kitchen acquisition expanded geography and enabled talent and operational synergies, accelerating scale while maintaining brand standards.

• Unit growth: aggressive roll-out plan focused on key urban and suburban markets, leveraging both corporate-owned and select franchising/franchising-adjacent models.
• Margin expansion: targeting improvements via menu engineering, supply-chain scale, digital sales mix growth, and real-estate optimization.
• Investor narrative: growth-at-scale story supported by significant addressable market opportunity for Mediterranean fast-casual dining and strong same-store sales trends in proven markets.

CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA) Overview

• Heart - prioritize empathy, hospitality, and a people-first culture.
• Health - serve wholesome, nutritious, delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
• Humanity - build inclusive communities, fair workplaces, and partnerships.
• Craftsmanship - source thoughtfully and execute food with culinary rigor.
• Responsibility - reduce environmental impact and support social causes.

• Talent & culture: team development, benefits, and diversity initiatives to retain and grow a mission-aligned workforce.
• Menu & supply chain: focus on wholesome ingredients, responsible sourcing, and scalable culinary standards.
• Community engagement: local partnerships, food access programs, and philanthropic efforts.
• Sustainability: waste reduction, packaging innovation, and energy efficiency in restaurants and distribution.

• Site selection and expansion prioritize high-access markets to broaden community impact and healthful food access.
• Investment in supply chain and commissary capacity to maintain consistent quality and responsible sourcing as footprint scales.
• Menu engineering emphasizes nutrient-forward items that align with customer demand for healthier fast-casual options.
• Community programs and partnerships are allocated a portion of marketing and philanthropic budgets to address food insecurity and local needs.

• Workforce programs: enhanced benefits, training, and career pathways to support team members' well-being and advancement.
• Environmental actions: packaging reduction pilots, composting in select markets, and energy-efficiency upgrades in new-build restaurants.
• Community support: targeted donations, food donations, and collaborations with local nonprofits to expand food access.

CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA) - Mission Statement

• Deliver fresh, flavorful Mediterranean food grounded in wellness and authenticity.
• Scale responsibly while preserving food quality, operational excellence, and community engagement.
• Innovate across product, technology, and sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.
• Create long-term shareholder value through disciplined growth and margin expansion.

• Target: 1,000 restaurants by 2032 to capture broader national footprint and category leadership.
• Positioning: Achieve a leading role in the Mediterranean food market via differentiation in quality, customization, and experience.
• Sustainability & innovation: Integrate supply-chain sustainability and product innovation across the restaurant base.

• Dining experience: Emphasis on fresh ingredients, made-from-scratch recipes, and customizable bowls and pitas to appeal to health-conscious and flavor-seeking consumers.
• Community focus: Local sourcing where feasible, partnerships with community organizations, and investments in employee development to create positive local economic impact.
• Sustainability: Reduction of food waste, responsible packaging initiatives, and supplier engagement to lower environmental footprint as the chain scales.

• Scale with quality: Maintain ingredient standards and centralized supply controls as locations grow.
• Health-forward positioning: Expand menu items emphasizing nutritional benefits and transparency.
• Community metrics: Track local hiring, philanthropic contributions, and supplier diversity as KPIs.

CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA): Vision Statement

• Generosity First, Always - prioritize kindness, community engagement, and service-driven hospitality for guests and teammates.
• Constant Curiosity - institutionalize learning and experimentation to drive menu innovation, operational improvements, and data-led decisions.
• Act with Agility - iterate quickly across formats (traditional restaurants, digital kitchens, retail partnerships) to meet shifting demand.
• Passion for Positivity - cultivate an optimistic culture that enhances retention, guest satisfaction, and brand warmth.
• Collective Ambition - align teams around ambitious growth targets and shared ownership of outcomes.

• Generosity First, Always - measured by community donations, employee volunteer hours, guest-facing service scores (NPS), and retention rates.
• Constant Curiosity - tracked via number of menu tests per year, time-to-market for successful SKUs, and efficiency gains (labor hours per transaction).
• Act with Agility - quantified through new-format ramp velocity (e.g., digital kitchen openings), percent of sales from new channels, and speed of product rollout.
• Passion for Positivity - reflected in employee engagement survey scores, front-of-house retention, and guest sentiment metrics.
• Collective Ambition - expressed by stretch goals (unit growth targets, same-store sales improvements) and cross-functional OKRs tied to store-level performance.

• Scaled philanthropy and local partnerships to operationalize Generosity First.
• Data science and R&D investments to accelerate Constant Curiosity and optimize assortments.
• Flexible unit economics models (traditional, galley/delivery-only, grocery partnerships) to Act with Agility.
• Leadership development and recognition programs to embed Passion for Positivity.
• Cross-functional incentive plans and equity participation to fuel Collective Ambition.