02:05 AM EDT, 05/20/2026 (MT Newswires) -- CFRA, an independent research provider, has provided MT Newswires with the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

We lower our 12-month target by $15 to $90, based on an equal-weighted blended valuation (50x 2027 EV/EBITDA; 6x EV/sales). We cut 2026 EPS to $0.66 from $0.80 and 2027's to $0.85 from $1.19, due to flat EBITDA margin assumptions versus prior expansion expectations. We maintain our Hold following Q1 results that included a beat-and-raise, highlighted by 9.7% comp growth (vs. 6.1% consensus). Our revised estimates embed comps near the top of CAVA's ( CAVA ) raised 4.5%-6.5% 2026 outlook. However, restaurant-level margin guidance was raised only 10 bps despite strong traffic, suggesting energy and food cost inflation are limiting profit flow-through. The company remains debt-free with strong cash generation, and 2025 openings are tracking above AUV targets, underscoring the long-term growth story. While our premium multiples reflect CAVA's ( CAVA ) superior unit economics and runway, current margin headwinds and elevated expectations limit near-term upside.