# Brett Schulman

> Brett Schulman is CAVA’s co-founder, CEO and president. After a finance career and an operating role at Snikiddy Snacks, he partnered with three restaurateurs to develop CAVA’s packaged-food business and fast-casual concept. He led its acquisition of Zoës Kitchen and its 2023 public listing. CAVA marked 500 restaurants in September 2026.

- **Role:** Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and President at CAVA Group, Inc.
- **Organizations:** CAVA Group, Inc., Snikiddy Snacks, Alex. Brown, Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown, FBR Securities
- **Education:** B.A. in Behavioral and Social Sciences; studied criminal justice and criminology, University of Maryland
- **Known for:** Helped build CAVA’s packaged-food business and develop its fast-casual concept., Led the Zoës Kitchen acquisition and CAVA’s public listing., University of Maryland Alumni Association EnTERPreneur Award honoree, 2021.

## Career timeline

- **1995** — Graduated from the University of Maryland; pursued finance after an internship at Alex. Brown.
- **2006–2010** — Chief Operating Officer at Snikiddy Snacks; remained a partner through 2015.
- **2010** — Co-founded CAVA and became CEO, president and director, according to company filings.
- **2011** — First fast-casual CAVA opened in Bethesda in January.
- **2018** — Led the approximately $300 million acquisition of Zoës Kitchen.
- **2021** — University of Maryland Alumni Association EnTERPreneur Award honoree.
- **2023** — Led CAVA’s June IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
- **2026** — CAVA marked 500 restaurants in September with an opening in Minneapolis.

## Achievements

- Helped build CAVA’s packaged-food business and develop its fast-casual concept.
- Led the Zoës Kitchen acquisition and CAVA’s public listing.
- University of Maryland Alumni Association EnTERPreneur Award honoree, 2021.
- Washington Business Journal CEO of the Year, 2023.
- CAVA reached 500 restaurants under his leadership in September 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — CAVA celebrated its 500-restaurant footprint on September 23 with a Minneapolis opening, entering Minnesota and reaching 30 states plus Washington, D.C.
- **2026-08** — CAVA reported 476 restaurants at the end of the second quarter, CAVA revenue of $365.4 million and 9.0% same-restaurant sales growth.
- **2026-08** — CAVA appointed Amiee Bayer-Thomas to its board.

## Links

- Website: https://cava.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettschulman

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/brett-schulman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-13