Texas Roadhouse veteran to join Cava C-suite

Cava has tapped a new operations leader as it continues to expand its footprint.

The fast-casual Mediterranean chain has named Doug Thompson as its next chief operations officer, effective March 2. In the role, he will oversee Cava’s restaurant operations and field team and ensure that “every restaurant delivers on the company’s mission.”

Thompson has decades of experience in the restaurant industry. Most recently, he has served as the CEO of Tumble 22 Texas Chicken Joint, a Texas-based chicken concept, since October 2022. Previously, he spent more than 23 years at Texas Roadhouse, serving as chief operating officer and VP of operations during his tenure.

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“Doug is the kind of leader who puts people at the center of everything he does, and that’s exactly the ethos that Cava was founded upon," said Brett Schulman, co-founder and CEO of Cava. “We’re at a meaningful inflection point in our journey, and as we continue to scale, our commitment remains clear: to run great restaurants, care deeply for our teams, delight our guests with Mediterranean warmth and hospitality and ensure Cava is a place where people build lasting careers, not just find a job. Doug’s career began on the line as a grill cook and restaurant operator, and that experience has shaped how he leads with empathy, humility and a deep respect for the people who power our restaurants every day.”