Andy Rebhun

Chief Experience Officer, Cava

Search every verified Andy Rebhun interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Andy Rebhun, Chief Experience Officer at Cava, has spoken in multiple interviews and a TEDx talk about the company’s approach to loyalty, growth, and brand culture. He described Cava’s loyalty program as designed to reward connection rather than frequency, stating that “loyalty is not a growth hack” and that the program reflects how guests actually engage with the brand. Rebhun noted that Cava relaunched its rewards program about a year ago, introducing lower earning thresholds and status tiers named sea, sand, and sun, and that the company launched a status-matching feature with airlines and hotels that he called an industry first for restaurants. He also discussed the company’s expansion, saying Cava has over 400 restaurants in 28 states and plans to open at least 50 new locations in the year of the interviews. Rebhun emphasized the importance of in-person connection and “Mediterranean hospitality,” stating that 66% of Cava’s consumers still eat inside the restaurants and that technology should “enhance, not replace” the human experience. He described initiatives such as a “love button” that empowers team members to give free food to guests, and a program called Project Soul focused on in-restaurant atmosphere and hospitality. Rebhun also discussed Cava’s approach to cultural relevance, athlete partnerships, and menu innovation, including tests of a pomegranate glazed salmon and a steak item. He said Cava has donated over a million dollars to organizations addressing food insecurity and that the company looks for athlete partners who “personify our values that bring heart, health, and humanity to food.”