Cava's CFO emphasizes a people-centric growth strategy

Cava, a Mediterranean restaurant chain, has been committed to maintaining a strong connection with its team members and guests, especially after going public in 2023. The company's CFO, Tricia Tolivar, has emphasized a growth strategy that focuses on understanding the needs of both employees and customers. This approach aligns with Cava's philosophy of creating a welcoming environment, where everyone can enjoy their meals together. Tolivar is dedicated to creating a culture that encourages both team development and guest satisfaction. Recent quarters have seen consistent growth in Cava's restaurant traffic, attributed to the company's efforts to improve working conditions for team members and streamline service processes for customers. Initiatives like reducing complexity for team members, such as simplifying meal preparation tasks, have been implemented to enhance service efficiency and improve the overall dining experience. Cava has also introduced technological advancements, such as new order screens, to better manage customer orders. This functionality enhances communication with guests by providing real-time updates on order status via text messaging. Currently, this program is operational in 25 restaurants and aims to improve service speed and effectiveness while ensuring that guests are kept informed about their orders. The balancing act of maintaining low price increases on menu items while investing in team members and guests reflects Cava's long-term vision. The team frequently engages with employees to gather insights on improving business operations through initiatives like shoulder-to-shoulder sessions in restaurants. As Cava continues to navigate the changes of being a publicly traded company, Tolivar insists that the commitment to building a durable, long-term brand remains at the forefront of their strategy.