Two of the most-watched names in fast-casual dining tell very different stories heading into the second half of 2026. CAVA Group is expanding aggressively and posting strong revenue growth. Chipotle Mexican Grill is operating at a scale that CAVA has not come close to reaching.
According to Yahoo Finance, CAVA operates as a Mediterranean fast-casual brand focused on fresh ingredients and customizable meals. As of late 2025, the company owned 439 restaurants across 28 states and Washington, D.C. Beyond its physical locations, CAVA sells proprietary dips and dressings in grocery stores.
In fiscal year 2025, CAVA's revenue reached roughly $1.2 billion, representing a growth rate of nearly 22.4 percent compared to the previous year. The company reported net income of approximately $63.7 million, resulting in a net margin of roughly 5.4 percent. Free cash flow for the year was nearly $26.1 million.
CAVA's balance sheet showed a debt-to-equity ratio of roughly 0.6x as of December 2025, suggesting a conservative approach to borrowing. Its current ratio was approximately 2.7x, meaning the company holds significantly more short-term assets than short-term liabilities. Digital orders accounted for nearly 38 percent of revenue in fiscal 2025.
Chipotle operates at a fundamentally different scale. By the end of 2025, the company ran over 4,056 restaurants and employed more than 130,000 people. It has expanded into international markets including Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.
Chipotle generated revenue of approximately $11.9 billion in fiscal 2025, reflecting a growth rate of roughly 5.4 percent over the prior year. Net income for the period was nearly $1.5 billion, supporting a net margin of approximately 12.9 percent. Free cash flow came in at nearly $1.5 billion, providing significant capital for reinvestment or share repurchases.
Chipotle's debt-to-equity ratio stood at roughly 2.2x as of December 2025, considerably higher than CAVA's. Its current ratio was approximately 1.2x, still indicating that short-term assets exceed short-term liabilities.
The comparison comes down to what investors are prioritizing. CAVA is growing faster in percentage terms and is taking a more conservative approach to debt. Chipotle delivers far greater absolute revenue, a much higher net margin, and a massive free cash flow advantage. CAVA faces competition from local restaurants and larger peers such as Sweetgreen. Chipotle's chief challenge is maintaining growth at its size.
Both companies trade on the New York Stock Exchange, with CAVA listed under the ticker CAVA and Chipotle under CMG.
