CAVA Shares Dip 0.16% as $290M Trading Volume Ranks 319th on Strategic Investment in Foodservice Automation

On August 18, 2025, CAVA Group (CAVA) closed with a 0.16% decline, trading at $29.20 per share. The stock recorded a volume of $290 million, ranking 319th in market activity for the day. The movement followed a strategic investment in Hyphen, a foodservice automation firm, signaling CAVA’s expansion into digital order optimization technologies.

CAVA led a $25 million Series B funding round for Hyphen, joining prior investor Chipotle in backing the automated makeline provider. The investment aims to scale production of Hyphen’s robotic systems, which integrate AI and robotics to enhance order accuracy and speed during peak digital hours. CAVA CEO Brett Schulman emphasized the technology’s role in reducing operational complexity while preserving human interaction, a key differentiator for the Mediterranean fast-casual chain.

Hyphen plans to accelerate manufacturing with Re:Build Manufacturing and partner with Ricoh USA for nationwide deployment. The funding aligns with CAVA’s broader strategy to innovate without compromising hospitality, as digital sales account for over 35% of its revenue. The move reflects growing industry demand for automation amid labor shortages and surging digital orders, with three out of four consumers switching to competitors when their preferred restaurants are unavailable.

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