Dive Brief:
- Cava will add glazed salmon to its menu beginning April 20, the company said in a press release on Wednesday.
- This launch is the first time the fast casual chain will offer seafood and builds upon the brand's combination of grains, greens, dips and toppings. The protein can be added to a build-your-own bowl or ordered as part of two seasonal Chef Curations, the Salmon + Strawberry Sesame Bowl and Salmon + Yogurt Dill Bowl.
- This is also its first major protein subcategory rolled out by Cava since it added grilled steak to the menu in 2024.
Dive Insight:
Salmon fits within the flavor profile of the Mediterranean diet and will expand the choices guests have, CEO Brett Schulman said during the chain’s Q4 earnings call. The salmon is marinated in a housemade pomegranate glaze and roasted until it is caramelized and flaky, according to the press release. The glaze includes pomegranate molasses sourced from women-founded company Just Date.
“Bringing salmon to our menu isn’t about just adding another protein, it’s about expanding how people experience Mediterranean food at scale,” Ted Xenohristos, Cava’s co-founder and chief concept officer, said in a statement. “We took the time to get this right, from sourcing to preparation, so it delivers on both flavor and quality.”
The chain used a “thoughtful and disciplined approach” during testing to ensure that it offers a good guest and employee experience, Schulman said.
Cava also completed its rollout of TurboChef ovens across its system last year, allowing for more consistent food quality. The new equipment was key to the white sweet potato launch and will be instrumental with the launch of salmon, Schuman said.
However, CFO Tricia Toliver said the initial salmon launch will have a headwind on restaurant margins by about 100 basis points, but will "drive penny profit neutrality overall.”
The company also is testing other proteins, including roasted garlic shrimp, as part of ongoing menu innovation, Schulman said. The chain has opportunities to expand menu categories, like desserts and beverages, as well as a chance to refine its pita sandwiches and greens and grains bases, he added.
“All this comes together — toppings, dips and spreads — to create a powerful holistic energy around innovation when you've got the ability to make [over] 17.4 billion combinations and have unique ways through all these different categories to continue to drive excitement and interest and frequency,” Schulman said.
The protein launch comes just a few months after the chain added four menu items, including Power Greens, Sumac Slaw, and limited-time Sumac Sour Cream + Onion Pita Potato Chips and a seasonal Tangerine Aleppo drink. The chain also brought back white sweet potatoes as part of that same launch. These menu additions comprise its largest product changes to date and are meant to provide more flavor and healthier options.
“By leaning into spices like Coriander, Paprika, Sumac and Aleppo Sour Pepper, we're delivering bold, satisfying high-quality food that feels both authentic and deeply craveable,” Cava CEO, President and Director Brett Schulman said in February during the chain’s Q4 earnings call.
Other fast casual chains have also been expanding their offerings, including Panera, Sweetgreen and Chipotle. Panera just added Salad Stuffers to its menu this month, over a month after it added a Mix & Match value menu. Sweetgreen rolled out wraps earlier this year, while Chipotle is increasing the cadence of its limited-time offerings, like Chicken al Pastor, which launched in February.
