Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen is a fast-casual restaurant company known for its focus on healthy, customizable salads, grain bowls, and plant-forward meals. The brand was founded in 2007 by Nicolas Jammet, Nathaniel Ru, and Jonathan Neman, who opened their first location near Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Their commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients and transparent sourcing helped Sweetgreen quickly build a loyal following.

As of November 2025, Sweetgreen operates approximately 220 locations nationwide. The company’s headquarters are in Los Angeles, reflecting its growth beyond its East Coast origins and its ambitions in major metropolitan markets. Over the past five years, Sweetgreen has accelerated its expansion, entering new cities and increasing its presence in high-traffic suburban corridors. Notably, the brand has introduced innovative store formats such as the Infinite Kitchen, which uses automation to streamline meal preparation and improve consistency.

Sweetgreen’s approach blends traditional urban storefronts with locations in mixed-use developments and prominent retail corridors. The company’s stores are designed with a modern aesthetic that emphasizes sustainability and community engagement. Sweetgreen does not franchise its locations, maintaining direct control over operations and brand standards.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, Sweetgreen stands out for its willingness to pilot new concepts and its aggressive growth posture in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami, and Dallas. Its digital-first strategy, including a robust mobile app and online ordering platform, supports efficient operations and high customer engagement. As consumer demand for health-focused dining continues to rise, Sweetgreen’s credibility and scale make it a sought-after tenant in both established and emerging retail environments.