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Theodore Xenohristos

Founder, Chief Concept Officer & Director, CAVA GROUP INC

Search every verified Theodore Xenohristos interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Theodore Xenohristos, co-founder and Chief Concept Officer of Cava, appeared on the podcast "How I Built This" in June 2023. He discussed the company's 2018 acquisition of Zoe's Kitchen, describing it as "a melting ice cube" that needed to be stabilized. Xenohristos recalled that at the time of the deal, Zoe's same-restaurant sales were declining 3 to 4% year-over-year. He also stated that Cava views Mediterranean cuisine as "the next big large-scale cultural cuisine category" and aims for the brand to become synonymous with that category. Xenohristos reflected on his role within the company, noting that he prefers to focus on the creative and "loose" aspects of the business while his partner, Brett Schulman, handled operational improvements. He also mentioned that the original Cava restaurant, opened in 2006 in Rockville, Maryland, remains in operation and still shows marks from patrons dancing on the bar.

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