Cava CFO: Automation to “Promote Human Experience, does not replace it”

CAVA has invested $ 5 million in connection – the food services platform that works to automate cooks such as meal production in collection stations – and committed an additional $ 5 million, according to the conditions. The $ 25 million financing round was also supported by the Cultive Cultipy’s Cultive Fund, which previously invested $ 15 million in July 2024.

“We believe that technology should enhance the human experience, not replace it, and the equipment of the connection does so completely,” Cava Cfo Tolivar told me. She added that after months of assessment of the connection and similar concepts, he is sure that this partnership is a smart step.

The “artificial intelligence in restaurants” poll in the last Deloitte – depends on interviews with 375 executives in restaurants in 11 countries – 8 out of 10 expects to expect that Increase their investments from artificial intelligence In the coming fiscal year. Unofficial food signs, in particular, give priority to advantages such as improving food preparation.

In Cava, the connection will be used on what Tolivar “Make SECOND”-a back station where employees prepare all vessels and pigeon for digital delivery and receipt. She said that the system allows employees to collect a bowl or beta at the higher level with the production of additional vessels automatically below from the same ingredients, increased productivity and accuracy of digital demand. “The most important thing is, it’s really about making the lives of our team members easier,” said Tolavar. CAVA still tests technology and is expected to take it out within a few months.

“White opportunity”

In the second quarter of the second quarter ending on July 13, Cava I mentioned On Tuesday, revenues of $ 278.2 million, an increase of 20.3 % year on year. About 37 % of sales were digital. Selling the same airport increased by 2.1 %, below analysts estimates, but the company outperformed the broader industry direction for the decline in the same store. CAVA has reduced the same store sales forecast to 4 % -6 %, a decrease from 6 % to 8 %, while maintaining expectations for profit margins at the level of restaurants by 24.8 % -25.2 %, air and the four modified free from 152 million dollars -159 million dollars.

The company added 16 new net restaurants in the quarter, thus reaching an average of 398 – an increase of 16.7 % over last year. CAVA raised the forecasts of the new net holes for 2025 to 68-70, up from 64 to 68, targeting 1000 sites by 2032.

Alex Favino, a CFRA Research stockpile, commented on CAVA expansion plans in a research note on Tuesday. “From our point of view, this strategic axis towards determining the priorities of expansion of sales growth in the same store is validated by the great opportunity for the white space and the possibilities of unit growth in the current market background,” he wrote.

The new CAVA 2025 category is located in the right track to connect the sizes of the AUVS that exceeds $ 3 million, before expectations. In general AUV l Q2 2025 $ 2.9 million, an increase of $ 2.7 million in the previous year.

Tolver said that AUV or average sales for each site is increasing throughout the country. “Do not see it in Detroit, Indianapolis and Chicago, but also in smaller cities such as Lavai, Louisiana, or Berlington, North Carolina.”

Tolivar also revealed a new flavor of famous Pita chips in Cava – sugar in Codenamon served with a side of honey.

“One of the best parts about being in the office is to spend time with chefs in the kitchen,” she said. “I was part of this journey and development, and I think they allowed it.”

Sherrill Istra
[email protected]

Leaders

Fortune 500 power moves

Aunoy Bnerjee EVP and CFO are set from Citizen Financial Groupa company. (No. 341), Starting from October 24. It was previously announced, the current financial manager John Woods will leave the bank on August 15. Chris Emerson, EVP and the head of corporate planning and institutional financing will act as a financial manager during the temporary period. Bnerjee joins two Barclays citizens, who is currently the financial manager of the BARCLAIS Bank Plc, which leads a multi -functional team. Before Barclays, Panerry served in the roles of financing and shift in Street Street for eight years, the last of which was head of investments, third -party administration and head of state in India. He also held the position of senior transformation officials. Bnerjee has previously spent 11 years in Citi in several roles, including CFO business unit for capital markets and stock services.

Every Friday morning, Fortune 500 Fortune 500 column transformations–See the latest version.

More noticeable movements

Arik McKekenis It was promoted to SVP and CFO from Formfactor, Inc. (Nasdak: Figure). McKenis Shahar, who resigned from these positions as of August 8. Shahhar will be an executive consultant during December 31. McKinnes, who joined Form Factor in August 2019, works as a VP deputy and corporate observer and was previously an observer of companies at MKS Instruments. Earlier, he served in various external audit roles in Deloitte, including the audit manager

David Hedley Financial Director has been appointed Bramshill InvestmentsAlternative Asset Management Company. Hedley has been the chief strategy of the company’s strategy since 2021. The company’s former financial manager, Gina Sevilo, who has retired earlier this year. Heidley has more than 34 years of experience. Before joining Brashhill, he was a major and large manager at Ernst & Young Capital Adviss, where he led the Banking Technology Investment Group. Before Ey, one of the major investment bankers in Canaccord Genuity, UBS Investment Bank, Thomas Weisel Partners and Merrill Lynch.

A big deal

According to inflation data in July, Consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.2 % month over a month, and 2.7 % on an annual basis – providing an annual pace in June. The basic inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased to 3.1 % annually, and remains much higher than the Federal Reserve goal by 2 %. Inflation from flat address and low energy prices feed expectations to reduce the potential price in September. However, analysts have warned that the costs of the continuous services sector and the effects of possible future tariffs could limit the mitigation of more mitigation in 2025. While the markets have risen on data, federal reserve officials indicated that they are focusing on the future job reports before making decisions on additional discounts, luck I mentioned.

deepen

“Companies of all sizes must invest in” dual literacy “for their employees and themselves. “Besides literacy from artificial intelligence, this is the time to develop a strong understanding of our human skills group, and how the growing artificial treasure box is affected.”

Hearing

“I empty companies talk and condemn more than the standard.” I want to spend more time with my family and Lauren is a wonderful strategic factor that focuses on the product. “

-Chris Hones, co -founder of Life360, wrote in the login blog post. “I want to spend more time with my family,” Hallz ignored, “I want to spend more time with my family,” in an announcement about the reason for his departure from the role of the CEO, luck I mentioned.