Restaurants
10 CAVA operations leaders
These ten current and former CAVA operations leaders have run regions, field operations, restaurant openings and manufacturing for the restaurant chain. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at CAVA from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
01—10Ann Flanagan
LinkedInExperience: Former Senior Vice President Operations · CAVA
Former Senior Vice President Operations at CAVA (December 2025 to May 2026), and Chief Operating Officer at STEELE BRANDS Crisp & Green since May 2026. Their profile also lists Vice President Operations at sweetgreen (2019–2025), VP of Operations at Biscuitville Fresh Southern (2016–2019) and New England Vice President Operations at Yum! Brands (2014–2016).
Christopher Penny
LinkedInExperience: Chief Manufacturing Officer · CAVA
Chief Manufacturing Officer at CAVA since February 2023 and Chief Manufacturing and Supply Officer there since 2018, with a profile headline of Chief Supply Chain and Manufacturing Officer. They were also COO, Cava Foods at CAVA (2015–2018), and their profile lists Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy at Transaction Network Services (TNS) (2007–2013).
Doug Thompson
LinkedInExperience: Chief Operations Officer · CAVA
Chief Operations Officer at CAVA since March 2026. Their profile also lists Chief Executive Officer of Tumble 22 (2022–2026), where they remain a board member and investor, and Chief Operating Officer at Texas Roadhouse, with rows running to 2021, and describes their focus as scaling purpose driven brands.
Guy Carney
LinkedInExperience: Former Director of Restaurant Openings · CAVA
Former Director of Restaurant Openings at CAVA (2022–2023) and Senior Manager of Transition Operations there (2022). Their profile also lists Chief Operations Officer at RiseUp Restaurants (2023–2025) and Vice President of Cafe Operations at The Works Café since May 2026, and says they have helped open and operate more than 300 restaurants.
Jason Huck
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Manufacturing · CAVA
Vice President of Manufacturing at CAVA since March 2024, a role based in Washington, D.C. At CAVA they were also Senior Director of Manufacturing (2021–2024), Director of Commissary Operations (2017–2021) and Commissary General Manager (2017), and their profile lists General Manager at From The Farmer (2015–2016).
Jonathan Braatvedt
LinkedInExperience: Former SVP Mid Atlantic Field Operations & Operation Services Interim COO · CAVA
Former SVP Mid Atlantic Field Operations & Operation Services Interim COO at CAVA (2025–2026), a role their profile says oversaw regional strategy for 90+ restaurant operations through regional management teams. They were also Senior Vice President, Operation Services & New Restaurant Openings at CAVA (2023–2025) and are now SVP, Ops Strategy & Innovation at Panera Bread.
Louie Lovejoy
LinkedInExperience: Regional Director · CAVA
Regional Director at CAVA since November 2021, a role their profile places in Nashville, Tennessee and tags at director level in general management, with a profile headline of Regional Vice President of Operations. Their profile also lists Regional Vice President at Smashburger (2015–2021), so their regional roles span two restaurant chains.
Marc Backer
LinkedInExperience: Regional Director Of Operations · CAVA
Regional Director Of Operations at CAVA since August 2021, a role their profile lists in the Mid-Atlantic. Their profile also lists Vice President Operations at Flik Hospitality Group (2019–2021) and Starbucks roles as Director Operations Services, North America (2018–2019) and Regional Director, Operations (2005–2016).
Scott Sheffield
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President of Operations · CAVA
Regional Vice President of Operations at CAVA since June 2026, a role their profile says leads teams in Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina, Charlotte, Georgia and Florida. They were Regional Director of Operations at CAVA (2023–2026) and Regional Director Of Operations at Zoes Kitchen (2019–2023).
Tony Frazier
LinkedInExperience: Former Sr. Regional Director for CAVA - West · CAVA
Former Sr. Regional Director for CAVA - West (2022–2025), and their profile also lists a Regional Director for CAVA - Texas role from 2021. They have been Vice President of Restaurant Operations at Pei Wei Asian Kitchen since August 2025, and their profile lists Regional Director and Area Operator for Zoes Kitchen in Texas roles at Zoes Kitchen.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to your question, since a regional director, a regional vice president and a company-wide executive see operations from different distances. For questions about manufacturing, ask the people whose roles were in manufacturing or commissary operations.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do regional operations leaders keep service and food quality consistent when a fast-growing chain enters new markets?
- 02Which operating metrics does a regional leader review each week, and what actions do they trigger?
- 03How does a restaurant chain plan and staff new restaurant openings at a fast pace?
Reaching CAVA operations leaders
How can I contact one of these CAVA operations leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: CAVA, based on profile data retrieved on October 13, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach CAVA operations leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
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Can an AI agent ask one of these CAVA operations leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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