The Motley Fool·2025-12-13 13:15Core Insights - Dutch Bros and Cava stocks experienced contrasting performances in 2025, with Cava shares halving while Dutch Bros shares increased by approximately 15% year-to-date [1] Cava Group - Cava Group's current market capitalization is $6.2 billion, with a current stock price of $53.15 [3] - The company reported a decline in same-store sales growth, with Q2 growth at 2.1% and Q3 slowing to 1.9%, following a period of four consecutive quarters of double-digit growth [4][5] - Restaurant-level profit margin decreased by 100 basis points to 24.6% in Q3 [4] - Cava lowered its guidance for same-store sales, profit margins, and adjusted EBITDA for the second consecutive time, negatively impacting stock performance [5] - The company aims to expand from 415 locations to 1,000 by 2032, with a projected 16% growth in units for 2026 [6] - Cava plans to enhance same-store sales through menu innovation, including testing new protein options and expanding its rewards program [7] Dutch Bros - Dutch Bros has a market capitalization of $7.8 billion, with a current stock price of $61.05 [8] - The company has experienced strong same-store growth driven by mobile ordering, brand marketing, and menu innovation [9] - Dutch Bros is testing hot food items, which could significantly increase traffic and transaction amounts, with a reported 4% lift in comparable-shop sales during tests [10][11] - The company plans to open approximately 175 new shops in 2026, with a long-term goal of over 2,000 locations by 2029 and a potential of around 7,000 locations in the U.S. [12] Conclusion - Cava is positioned for a potential turnaround in 2026, benefiting from easier comparisons and new menu items [13] - Dutch Bros is favored for its expansion potential and the opportunity presented by introducing hot food items, making it a top growth stock for the upcoming year [14]