Chief Operating Officer Appointment: CAVA Names Doug Thompson to Leadership Role
CAVA, the category-defining fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant brand celebrated for its bold flavors, wholesome ingredients, and people-centered hospitality, has announced the appointment of Doug Thompson as its new Chief Operations Officer. Thompson will officially assume the role on March 2, marking a significant leadership milestone as the company continues its rapid nationwide expansion and operational evolution.
In his new position, Thompson will oversee CAVA’s restaurant operations and field teams across the United States. His responsibilities will include ensuring operational excellence, supporting restaurant-level leadership, and helping the brand consistently deliver on its mission to bring heart, health, and humanity to food. As CAVA scales its footprint and strengthens its position in the competitive fast-casual dining segment, Thompson’s appointment underscores the company’s focus on disciplined growth anchored in culture, hospitality, and people-first leadership.
Thompson brings with him more than two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, most notably from Texas Roadhouse, where he spent over 20 years in progressively senior leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Operations. During his tenure at Texas Roadhouse, Thompson played a central role in one of the most successful growth stories in casual dining. He oversaw widespread new restaurant development, contributed to the creation and launch of two new restaurant concepts, and guided operations through an extraordinary stretch of 40 consecutive quarters of positive comparable restaurant sales.
This sustained performance reflected Thompson’s ability to balance operational rigor with an unwavering commitment to hospitality and team development. At Texas Roadhouse, he was widely recognized as a people-first leader who prioritized culture as a strategic advantage. His leadership philosophy emphasized empowering frontline employees, building trust-based teams, and creating clear pathways for advancement within the organization.
One of Thompson’s most notable achievements was the development of a transformational leadership pipeline designed to cultivate the next generation of restaurant operators and managers. By coaching, mentoring, and investing in team members at all levels, Thompson helped create an environment where employees could grow into leadership roles, supporting the company’s rapid expansion while preserving its core values. This focus on internal talent development proved instrumental in sustaining long-term growth and operational consistency across hundreds of locations.
Following his extensive tenure at Texas Roadhouse, Thompson took on the role of Chief Executive Officer at Tumble 22 Texas Chicken Joint, a Texas-based chicken restaurant concept known for its bold flavors and local appeal. During his time as CEO, Thompson led a period of significant growth and organizational transformation. Under his leadership, the brand doubled its number of locations and built the operational infrastructure, leadership team, and systems necessary to support ambitious expansion plans.
Thompson’s experience at Tumble 22 further strengthened his expertise in scaling emerging brands, navigating growth-stage challenges, and aligning operations with brand identity. His ability to combine entrepreneurial agility with disciplined execution made him a strong fit for CAVA as it enters its next phase of development.
Earlier in his career, Thompson also held leadership roles at Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse, two well-known restaurant brands within the Bloomin’ Brands portfolio. These experiences provided him with a broad operational foundation across multiple concepts and service styles, further shaping his holistic understanding of restaurant operations, guest experience, and team engagement.
Commenting on the appointment, Brett Schulman, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CAVA, emphasized Thompson’s alignment with the company’s values and long-term vision.
“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,” Schulman said. “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.”
Schulman also highlighted Thompson’s firsthand operational background as a defining strength. Thompson began his career working on the restaurant line as a grill cook and operator—an experience that continues to inform his leadership approach.
“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,” Schulman added. “We’re thrilled to welcome Doug to the CAVA table and confident he will help us grow in a way that stays true to who we are.”
As Chief Operations Officer, Thompson will play a critical role in ensuring that every CAVA restaurant reflects the brand’s purpose-driven identity. This includes maintaining operational excellence while fostering environments where teams feel supported, valued, and inspired. With CAVA’s continued expansion into new markets, Thompson’s leadership will be essential in preserving consistency, quality, and culture at scale.
CAVA has built its reputation on offering vibrant Mediterranean-inspired meals that emphasize fresh ingredients, customizable options, and nourishing flavors. Equally important to the brand is its emphasis on hospitality, community, and human connection—values that resonate strongly with Thompson’s leadership philosophy.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Thompson said he is excited to join CAVA at a pivotal moment in its growth journey.
“I’m excited to be joining CAVA at such a pivotal moment,” Thompson said. “From CAVA’s purpose-driven mission to its commitment to nourishing people and communities, CAVA is a truly special place. I’m inspired by the passion of the team and energized by the opportunity to help lead its next phase of growth and make CAVA not just a category-defining brand, but an industry-leading one.”
Thompson’s appointment comes at a time when CAVA is focused on thoughtful expansion, operational consistency, and long-term value creation. By combining his extensive operational experience with CAVA’s strong cultural foundation, the company aims to continue delivering exceptional guest experiences while building a workplace where employees can thrive and grow.
As CAVA looks to the future, the addition of Doug Thompson to its executive leadership team signals a continued commitment to scaling responsibly, investing in people, and staying true to the heart-forward hospitality that has defined the brand since its inception.
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