LEASES
The weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate were as follows as of the period indicated:
December 28,
2025
December 29,
2024
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)8.58.2
Weighted average discount rate6.63 %6.26 %
The components of lease cost were as follows for the fiscal years indicated:
(in thousands)Classification202520242023
Operating lease cost1
Occupancy, General and administrative expenses$61,494 $52,573 $44,201 
Pre-opening lease costPre-opening costs6,591 3,867 4,296 
Closed restaurant lease cost
Other income, net, Restructuring and other costs
95 97 558 
Short-term lease cost
General and administrative expenses428 328 364 
Variable lease costOccupancy2,321 2,695 1,421 
Sublease incomeOther income, net(347)(470)(479)
Total lease cost$70,582 $59,090 $50,361 
__________________
1    Excludes $13.5 million, $10.6 million, and $9.4 million in fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, relating to variable real estate taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance costs.

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to leases were as follows for the fiscal years indicated:
(in thousands)202520242023
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities$64,842 $58,172 $48,739 
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
108,467 66,820 43,985 
Derecognition of operating lease assets due to termination or impairment391 109 4,946 

Refer to Note 5 (Fair Value) for a description of impairment charges that included a reduction to operating lease assets in fiscal 2025 and 2023.
Future minimum lease payments by fiscal year for operating leases consist of the following as of December 28, 2025:
(in thousands)Operating Leases
2026$77,297 
202779,551 
202875,063 
202970,856 
203067,107 
Thereafter255,004 
Total624,878 
Less: imputed interest158,630 
Operating lease liabilities (current and non-current)$466,248 
As of December 28, 2025, future minimum lease payments excluded $146.5 million relating to legally binding leases executed but not yet commenced.
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Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 25, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 26, 2025
2023Feb 27, 2024

About Leases Disclosures

Lease disclosures under ASC 842 provide a comprehensive view of a company's leased asset portfolio, including the split between operating and finance leases, discount rates used to present-value future payments, and the maturity schedule of lease obligations. This section reveals a significant source of off-balance-sheet commitments that were largely hidden before the current standard.

Key signals: the weighted-average discount rate affects the size of recorded lease liabilities — a higher rate reduces the reported obligation, so compare the chosen rate against the company's incremental borrowing rate. The operating versus finance lease mix affects both EBITDA and operating income presentation. Watch the maturity table for concentration risk: large payment cliffs in specific years may create cash flow pressure. Variable lease payments excluded from the liability measurement represent real obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet. Compare total lease costs against prior-year operating lease expense to assess the true economic burden.