CAVA Group (CAVA) names Douglas Thompson COO with equity and bonus plan

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

CAVA Group, Inc. has appointed Douglas W. Thompson, age 62, as Chief Operations Officer, effective March 2, 2026. He will oversee restaurant operations and field teams and report directly to Chief Executive Officer Brett Schulman. Thompson brings extensive restaurant leadership experience, including serving as CEO of Tumble 22 Texas Chicken Joint since October 2022 and prior senior operating roles at Texas Roadhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Outback Steakhouse.

Under his offer letter, Thompson will receive an annual base salary of $550,000 and a target annual cash bonus equal to 75% of base salary, based on goals and performance metrics set by the Board or its Compensation Committee. Starting in fiscal 2027, he will be eligible for annual equity awards with a grant date value of about $1,200,000, expected to vest over four years at 25% per year. He will also receive a one-time time-based restricted stock unit grant valued at about $500,000, vesting over four years, and a $200,000 relocation/sign-on bonus, and will participate in the company’s Executive Severance Plan.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 12, 2026

CAVA Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware			001-41721			47-3426661
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)			(Commission File Number)			(IRS Employer Identification No.)

14 Ridge Square NW, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20016

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (202) 400-2920

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

CAVA

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02    Departure of Certain Directors or Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On January 12, 2026, CAVA Group, Inc. (the “Company”), announced the appointment of Douglas W. Thompson, 62, as the Company’s Chief Operations Officer, effective as of March 2, 2026. Mr. Thompson will oversee the Company’s restaurant operations and field teams and report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Brett Schulman.

Since October 2022, Mr. Thompson served as Chief Executive Officer of Tumble 22 Texas Chicken Joint, a Texas-based restaurant company. From August 2018 until December 2021, Mr. Thompson served as the Chief Operating Officer for Texas Roadhouse, where he also served as Vice President of Operations from January 2015 until August 2018 and in additional operational positions since August 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Thompson served in various operational roles at Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse.

In connection with this appointment, Mr. Thompson entered into an offer letter agreement with the Company, as amended, setting forth the terms of his employment (the “Offer Letter”). The Offer Letter provides that Mr. Thompson will receive an annual base salary of $550,000 and will have an annual target cash bonus opportunity equal to 75% of his annual base salary based on applicable individual goals and performance metrics as determined by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”). Commencing in fiscal year 2027, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee, Mr. Thompson will be eligible to receive an annual equity award with a grant date value of approximately $1,200,000, which award(s) are expected to vest over a 4-year term at a rate of 25% annually. The Offer Letter further provides that Mr. Thompson will be granted a one-time grant of time-based restricted stock units in connection with his commencement of employment with a grant date value of approximately $500,000, expected to vest over four years following the date of grant, subject to continued employment. The Offer Letter further provides that Mr. Thompson will receive a relocation/sign-on bonus of $200,000. Mr. Thompson will also be eligible to participate in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan in accordance with its terms.

The foregoing description of the Offer Letter is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Offer Letter, which will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2025.

There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Thompson and any other persons or entities pursuant to which Mr. Thompson was appointed to serve as Chief Operations Officer. Mr. Thompson does not have any family relationship with the Company’s executive officers or directors nor are there any related party transactions between the Company and Mr. Thompson that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibit is being furnished as part of this report:

Exhibit No.						Description
99.1						Press release issued by CAVA Group, Inc. on January 12, 2026.
104						The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 12, 2026						CAVA Group, Inc.
						By:			/s/ Tricia Tolivar
						Name:			Tricia Tolivar
						Title:			Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What executive leadership change did CAVA (CAVA) disclose?

CAVA Group, Inc. announced the appointment of Douglas W. Thompson as its Chief Operations Officer, effective March 2, 2026. He will oversee restaurant operations and field teams and report to CEO Brett Schulman.

What is Douglas Thompson’s compensation package as COO of CAVA?

Douglas Thompson will receive an annual base salary of $550,000 and a target annual cash bonus equal to 75% of his base salary, subject to individual goals and performance metrics set by the Board or its Compensation Committee.

What equity awards will Douglas Thompson be eligible for at CAVA (CAVA)?

Beginning in fiscal year 2027, Douglas Thompson will be eligible for annual equity awards with a grant date value of about $1,200,000, expected to vest over four years at a rate of 25% annually, as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee.

Does Douglas Thompson receive any one-time equity or cash benefits from CAVA?

Yes. Upon starting employment, he will receive a one-time time-based restricted stock unit grant with a grant date value of approximately $500,000, expected to vest over four years, and a $200,000 relocation/sign-on bonus.

Is Douglas Thompson eligible for severance benefits at CAVA?

Douglas Thompson will be eligible to participate in CAVA’s Executive Severance Plan in accordance with that plan’s terms, as stated in his offer letter.

Are there any related-party relationships between CAVA and Douglas Thompson?

The company states there is no arrangement or understanding with other persons for his appointment, no family relationship with executive officers or directors, and no related party transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Where can investors find the full terms of Douglas Thompson’s offer letter with CAVA (CAVA)?

CAVA indicates that the full text of Douglas Thompson’s Offer Letter will be filed as an exhibit to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2025.