Chipotle Cava Sweetgreen Same-Store Sales Drop as Consumer Spending Slows in 2025

Chipotle, Cava, and Sweetgreen are experiencing a sharp slowdown in consumer spending in 2025, marked by declining same-store sales, flat or shrinking customer traffic, and downgraded forecasts. This trend reflects broader challenges in the fast-casual sector, where diners—across income levels—are becoming more price-sensitive and cautious about discretionary spending [1]. The companies are adjusting their strategies in response, but macroeconomic pressures show no sign of abating.

Chipotle’s second-quarter same-store sales dropped 4%, driven by a 4.9% decline in transaction counts, despite a slight increase in average check sizes [1]. CEO Scott Boatwright directly linked the performance to consumer uncertainty, noting that many are preserving cash amid fears of economic volatility. The company has reduced its full-year sales forecasts and is focusing on new marketing and menu innovations to regain customer attention [1].

Cava’s Q2 same-restaurant sales rose only 2.1%, a marked slowdown from recent years, with traffic remaining largely flat [1]. The company attributes the weak performance to macroeconomic volatility and consumer hesitation. Executive leadership described the current environment as one of “fog and uncertainty,” emphasizing that difficult comparisons to last year’s strong performance are compounding the challenge.

Sweetgreen’s performance was the most severe, with second-quarter same-store sales falling 7.6% and traffic declining 10.1% [1]. CEO Jonathan Neman described the environment as a “convergence of several external headwinds and internal actions,” including a more cautious consumer landscape. The company is also grappling with declining demand for its urban office lunch offerings, a segment weakened by the ongoing shift to hybrid work models [1].

Across all three chains, several factors are contributing to the slowdown. Inflation has persisted, leaving many customers feeling the financial strain, while fears of rising tariffs and potential recession have intensified caution. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing affordability over premium dining experiences, making it harder for brands to justify higher prices [1]. Even affluent diners, traditionally less sensitive to price, are showing signs of restraint.

The broader consumer picture reflects a shift toward “budget shopping,” where discretionary spending is under pressure and value is the key driver [1]. Restaurant chains are responding by slowing price increases and expanding value promotions, but many customers—particularly those with lower or middle incomes—remain hesitant to return to pre-2025 spending habits. Over 33% of U.S. households are now actively cutting back on restaurant spending and other non-essential expenses, highlighting a widespread unease about the economy.

For brands like Chipotle, Cava, and Sweetgreen, the challenge is to innovate and retain customer loyalty while remaining price-competitive. Leadership teams are emphasizing digital engagement, menu creativity, and value incentives, but the broader economic headwinds suggest a slow path to recovery. While these companies are taking proactive steps, industry-wide pressures indicate that consumer confidence—and spending—may remain subdued for the foreseeable future [1].

[1] Source: [1] Consumer spending slowdown hits fast-casual chains as affluent diners also cut back (https://fortune.com/2025/08/14/consumer-cuts-back-sweetgreen-chipotle-cava/)