Founding Team and Company Origins
The brand now known as Cava was co-founded by Brett Schulman, who serves as co-CEO and leads the company’s vision and brand strategy Forbes. The founding group includes Michael Gordon, who became co-CEO and focuses on operations and scale, alongside Dimitri Moshovitis, Ike Grigoropoulos, and Todd Martin, who together shaped the Mediterranean-style fast-casual concept Forbes.
The company was originally launched under the name Cava Mezze in 2006, and the founders later rebranded to Cava Group to reflect a broader menu centered on customizable bowls and salads Forbes. The group is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and the founders built the brand around fresh ingredients, Mediterranean flavors, and digital ordering capabilities.
Leadership Structure and Roles
Co-CEO and Operating Leadership
Brett Schulman and Michael Gordon share the co-CEO title, with Schulman often representing the brand in investor communications and Gordon driving restaurant operations and expansion Forbes. The leadership team includes executives overseeing digital experience, supply chain, and restaurant development, reflecting the founders’ emphasis on technology and operational consistency.
Board and Ownership
The founders and early executives hold significant ownership stakes, and the company went public in 2023 under the ticker CAVA on the New York Stock Exchange SEC. The board includes members with backgrounds in restaurant operations, finance, and brand building, and the founders remain central to long-term strategic decisions.
Growth, Expansion, and Public Company Status
Restaurant Footprint and Sales
Cava Group operates hundreds of locations across the United States, with a focus on high-growth markets in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest Forbes. The company has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing restaurant chains, driven by digital ordering, catering, and a menu that emphasizes customizable Mediterranean bowls.
Public Markets and Financial Performance
Since its IPO, CAVA has been tracked as a key player in the fast-casual restaurant sector, with investor attention focused on same-store sales growth and digital engagement