Cava Group Inc. reported second-quarter revenue of $278.2 million, a 20.3% increase from a year earlier but below the roughly $285 million analysts projected. Adjusted earnings per share rose to $0.16, topping the $0.13 consensus. Comparable-restaurant sales grew 2.1%, far short of Wall Street’s expectation for growth of more than 6%, sending the stock down about 20% in after-hours trading. Net income for the quarter slipped to $18.4 million from $19.7 million a year ago as traffic flattened following the anniversary of last year’s grilled-steak launch. The Mediterranean fast-casual chain opened 16 net new sites during the period, bringing its restaurant count to 398, and reported a restaurant-level profit margin of 26.3%. Management cut its forecast for full-year same-store sales growth to 4%–6% from the prior 6%–8% range, citing “ongoing uncertainty among consumers.” Other key targets, including adjusted EBITDA of $152 million to $159 million and restaurant-level margins of roughly 25%, were reaffirmed. The company now expects to open 68 to 70 net new locations this year, up from 64 to 68 previously. Cava also disclosed a minority investment in Hyphen, a food-automation start-up, as it seeks to improve order accuracy and reduce kitchen complexity. The guidance cut follows similar comments on weak traffic from peers Chipotle Mexican Grill and Sweetgreen, underscoring broader pressure on discretionary restaurant spending.