CAVA Group Inc vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? CAVA Group Inc trades at $68.92 (market cap $7.08B), while Wendys Co trades at $8.47 (market cap $1.44B). The key difference: CAVA Group Inc is far larger — about 4.9× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays a 3.71% dividend while CAVA Group Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAVA | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $7.08B | $1.44B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $97.39 | $10.68 |
52-Week Low | $43.59 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $7.23B | $5.17B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.71% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CAVA stock surged 12.32% to $69.165, driven by strong Q2 2026 earnings that beat estimates with $0.19 EPS and 31.3% revenue growth. Despite a bearish technical signal, fundamentals show robust expansion with same-store sales up 9% and net income margin at 4.79%. Analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with a $89.75 price target, though high valuations like a P/E of 108.59 pose concerns.
Outlook is positive due to earnings momentum and market share gains, but risks include valuation sensitivity and competitive pressures. Investors should weigh growth potential against premium multiples, with institutional support underscoring long-term confidence amid near-term volatility.
WEN trades at $8.595, up 17.74% in 24 hours, with a neutral technical signal. Recent Q2 2026 EPS of $0.18 beat expectations, but revenue trends are flat and net income margin declined to 5.72% in 2025. The company cut its dividend and withdrew 2026 guidance amid a strategic turnaround under new leadership, facing traffic declines and loss of its No. 2 U.S. burger chain position to Burger King.
Outlook is cautious; the dividend cut frees cash for restructuring, but execution risks are high. Valuation appears reasonable with a P/E of 11.44, though high debt and competitive pressures pose significant headwinds. Analyst consensus is mixed, with 62.75% hold ratings reflecting uncertainty around the turnaround plan's success.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
CAVA is a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand in the US. It offers customizable bowls, salads, and pitas featuring healthy ingredients, while also selling its signature dips and dressings in grocery stores.
Read more on CAVA →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →