Company: CAVA
Filing Date: 2025-02-26
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001628280-25-007882
Chunk: 248

Company: CAVA GROUP, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-02-26
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 8
Chunk 248
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 and RSUs under its equity incentive plans and purchase rights under its employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). Equity-based compensation expense is measured based on the grant date fair value of those awards and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Equity-based compensation expense is based on awards outstanding, and forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options and purchase rights under the ESPP at the grant date. The use of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected term, risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, and expected dividend yield of the underlying common stock. The fair value of RSUs is equal to the fair value of the underlying common stock at the date of grant. Prior to June 2023, the Company was privately held with no active public market for its common stock. The historical approach for estimating the fair value of the Company’s common stock was a two-step process. First, the Company’s enterprise value was established using generally accepted valuation methodologies, including the utilization of an income approach (discounted cash flow method), a market approach (guideline public company method), and a probability-weighted expected return method. Second, the enterprise value was allocated among the securities that comprise the capital structure of the Company using the option-pricing method. The assumptions used to determine the fair value of the Company’s common stock represents management’s best estimates. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment.Earnings (loss) per share—Basic earnings (loss) per share (“basic EPS”) is calculated by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) adjusts basic EPS for the impact of potentially dilutive shares using the 

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treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive shares include outstanding stock options, non-vested RSUs, and purchase rights granted under the ESPP. In periods in which there is a loss, potentially dilutive securities are not included in the calculation of diluted EPS as their impact would be anti-dilutive.Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The fair value measurement accounting guidance creates a fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used to measure value into three categories. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value