Office lunch chains struggle as consumers tighten spending; Dutch bucks the trend

Chipotle, Cava, and Sweetgreen faced a tough second quarter as demand for their lunch bowls declined.

Cava’s same-store sales growth slowed to 2.1%, far below expectations, sending shares down 16%. Chipotle’s sales dropped 4%, while Sweetgreen saw a steep 7.6% decline.

Executives cited a cautious consumer, with Sweetgreen’s CEO noting, “The consumer is not in a great place overall.” Chipotle lowered its full-year sales forecast amid ongoing volatility.

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All three chains are adjusting menus and emphasizing value to win back customers. Cava plans new items like chicken shawarma, while Sweetgreen scrapped ripple fries after just five months.

Shares of Chipotle, Cava, and Sweetgreen have fallen 25%, 35%, and nearly 70% this year, respectively.

Meanwhile, Dutch Bros is thriving, with same-store sales up 6.1% as it expands. Analysts say it’s gaining ground on Starbucks, which posted another U.S. sales decline.