Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG)

Ever stopped to consider what truly drives your favorite restaurant? For Sweetgreen, a fast-casual restaurant chain, it's more than just serving salads. With a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food, Sweetgreen's vision and core values shape every decision they make. But how do these principles translate into real-world impact, especially when the company's 2024 total revenue reached $676.8 million across its 246 locations?

How do Sweetgreen's mission, vision, and core values influence their sustainability efforts, sourcing practices, and community engagement? And how do these elements contribute to their financial performance and strategic direction, especially with plans to open at least 40 new restaurants in fiscal year 2025 and achieve revenue between $760 million and $780 million? Keep reading to find out!

Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) An Overview of

Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen, Inc. has emerged as a prominent player in the fast-casual restaurant sector, emphasizing healthy, locally-sourced ingredients. The company is known for its salads, warm bowls, and plates, offering a customizable menu that caters to health-conscious consumers. As of April 2025, Sweetgreen operates over 220 restaurants across the United States, focusing on urban areas and cultivating a brand image centered on sustainability and community engagement.

Sweetgreen's commitment to fresh, seasonal produce is a cornerstone of its business model. They partner with local farmers to source ingredients, supporting regional agriculture and reducing environmental impact. This emphasis on transparency and quality has resonated with consumers, contributing to the company's growth and brand loyalty. Sweetgreen also leverages technology, including its mobile app and online ordering platform, to enhance customer convenience and streamline operations.

In fiscal year 2024, Sweetgreen achieved record-breaking revenue, driven by strong performance in its core menu offerings, particularly salads and bowls. The company's strategic focus on expanding its digital channels and improving operational efficiency has contributed to increased sales and profitability. Sweetgreen has also seen significant growth in key markets, indicating the brand's appeal and potential for further expansion.

The latest financial reports highlight Sweetgreen's revenue growth. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Sweetgreen's revenue increased by 24% year-over-year to $153 million. For the full year 2024, total revenue increased 22% to $597 million. Same-store sales also increased by 6%, reflecting strong customer demand and effective marketing strategies. These figures demonstrate Sweetgreen's ability to attract and retain customers, driving sustainable growth.

Sweetgreen's success can be attributed to several factors, including its clear brand identity, focus on quality ingredients, and commitment to sustainability. The company has also invested in technology and innovation, enhancing the customer experience and improving operational efficiency. As a result, Sweetgreen has established itself as a leader in the fast-casual restaurant sector, with a loyal customer base and a strong growth trajectory.

Sweetgreen stands out as a leader in the fast-casual dining industry, and to understand why, continue reading this blog: Breaking Down Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Mission Statement

The mission statement of Sweetgreen is 'to inspire healthier communities by connecting people to real food.' This statement reflects the company's dedication to not only providing nutritious food options but also to fostering a sense of community and promoting overall well-being.

Here's an analysis of the core components of Sweetgreen's mission statement:

1. Inspire Healthier Communities:

• Sweetgreen aims to motivate and enable communities to make better food choices, recognizing the impact of food on health, happiness, and overall well-being.
• The company supports local communities through various partnerships and initiatives.
• For example, Sweetgreen started a program called 'DC Farm to School’ that is part of the curriculum in several DC schools. This program teaches students about healthy eating, sustainability, the importance of local sourcing, and where food comes from.

2. Connecting People:

• Sweetgreen seeks to establish direct relationships between consumers and their food sources, connecting customers to local farms and promoting a transparent food system.
• The company wants customers to enjoy their food so much that they want to go to the farms and purchase fresh produce directly from them.

3. Real Food:

• Sweetgreen is committed to serving simple, seasonal, and healthy salads and grain bowls made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
• They avoid highly processed preservatives, artificial flavors, and refined or hidden sugars.
• By sourcing produce from local farmers and suppliers, Sweetgreen ensures the highest quality and taste in their dishes, supports the community, and promotes sustainability.
• As of 2022, Sweetgreen had 64 Valued Suppliers in their network and partnered with Seeds Farm for two years to provide certified organic vegetables for the Chicago market.

Sweetgreen's Vision Statement: To build healthier relationships with food, each other, and the planet.

Sweetgreen's Core Values:

Sweetgreen's core values embody its culture, spirit, and dedication to doing what's right. These values guide the company's actions and help in making decisions about everything from the food they serve to the impact they have on their communities.

• Win, Win, Win: Create solutions where the company wins, the customer wins, the community wins.
• Think Sustainably: Make decisions that last longer than you will.
• Keep it Real: Cultivate authentic food and relationships.
• Add the Sweet Touch: Create meaningful connections every day.
• Make an Impact: Leave people better than you found them.
• Live the Sweetlife: Celebrate your passion and your purpose.

In the fiscal year 2024, Sweetgreen reported a 16% increase in total revenue, reaching $676.8 million, compared to $584.0 million in the prior fiscal year. This growth was supported by the opening of 25 net new restaurants and a 6% increase in same-store sales.

To gain more insights into Sweetgreen's financial performance, you can explore: Breaking Down Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Vision Statement

As of April 2025, understanding a company's mission, vision, and core values remains crucial for investors and stakeholders. These elements provide insight into the company's strategic direction, culture, and long-term goals. For Sweetgreen, a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food, this vision translates into specific strategies and initiatives that drive their operations and growth. Let's explore these aspects in detail. You can also find more information about Sweetgreen's investors and their motivations here: Exploring Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Sweetgreen's mission is to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. This mission statement is more than just a slogan; it's a guiding principle that influences every aspect of their business, from sourcing ingredients to engaging with local communities. Sweetgreen emphasizes:

• Real Food: Prioritizing fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients.
• Healthier Communities: Promoting nutrition and wellness through their menu and outreach programs.
• Connecting People: Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment in their restaurants and fostering relationships with farmers and suppliers.

In fiscal year 2024, Sweetgreen continued to execute this mission by focusing on improving food quality and customer experience. For instance, Sweetgreen actively sources ingredients from local farmers, contributing to local economies and ensuring the freshness of their offerings. They also engage in community-based initiatives, such as partnerships with schools and wellness programs, to promote healthy eating habits.

While Sweetgreen doesn't have a single, formally declared vision statement, we can infer it through their actions and strategic goals. The vision encompasses being a leader in redefining the fast-food industry by making healthy and sustainable food accessible to everyone. This vision includes several key components:

• Sustainability: Committing to environmentally-friendly practices, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable agriculture.
• Innovation: Continuously improving their menu, technology, and operations to meet evolving customer needs.
• Community Engagement: Building strong relationships with local communities and contributing to their well-being.

In 2024, Sweetgreen took concrete steps toward realizing this vision. For example, they expanded their Outpost program, which brings Sweetgreen meals to workplaces and residential buildings, increasing access to healthy food options. The company also invested in technology to streamline the ordering process and enhance the customer experience. Operationally, Sweetgreen is committed to sustainability through initiatives like composting programs and partnerships with suppliers who share their environmental values. For example, Sweetgreen has partnered with farms that use regenerative agriculture practices, which help to improve soil health and reduce carbon emissions.

Sweetgreen's core values underpin their culture and guide their decision-making. Although the specific values may evolve, the consistent themes include:

• Integrity: Operating with honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior.
• Customer Focus: Prioritizing the needs and satisfaction of their customers.
• Teamwork: Fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Continuous Improvement: Striving for excellence and embracing change.

These values were evident in Sweetgreen's actions throughout 2024. The company demonstrated integrity by being transparent about its sourcing practices and nutritional information. They focused on customer satisfaction by launching new menu items and improving the efficiency of their service. Sweetgreen also invested in employee training and development programs to promote teamwork and continuous improvement. Sweetgreen's commitment to these values has helped them build a strong brand reputation and loyal customer base.

Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Core Values of

At its core, the Company operates with a clear mission: to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. This mission is supported by a set of core values that guide the company's actions and decisions. These values reflect a commitment to quality, community, and innovation.

'Think Out Loud'

This core value encourages open communication and transparency within the company. By fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns, the Company promotes collaboration and continuous improvement.

Examples of how the Company demonstrates this value:

• Encouraging feedback: The Company actively solicits feedback from employees at all levels through surveys, town hall meetings, and informal discussions.
• Transparency in decision-making: The Company strives to be transparent in its decision-making processes, explaining the rationale behind key decisions to employees.
• Open communication channels: The Company provides various channels for employees to communicate with each other and with leadership, such as internal communication platforms and regular team meetings.

'Be Nice'

The 'Be Nice' core value emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with respect and kindness. This value extends to employees, customers, suppliers, and the broader community. By fostering a positive and supportive work environment, the Company aims to create a culture of inclusivity and respect.

Examples of how the Company demonstrates this value:

• Customer service: The Company is known for its friendly and helpful customer service, with employees going the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Employee relations: The Company invests in employee training and development programs that promote positive communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Community involvement: The Company supports local communities through various initiatives, such as donating food to local charities and partnering with local organizations.

'Make an Impact'

This core value drives the Company to make a positive difference in the world. This includes sourcing sustainable ingredients, reducing its environmental footprint, and supporting local communities. By prioritizing social and environmental responsibility, the Company aims to create a more sustainable and equitable food system.

Examples of how the Company demonstrates this value:

• Sustainable sourcing: The Company is committed to sourcing ingredients from local and sustainable farms, reducing its reliance on industrial agriculture.
• Environmental sustainability: The Company has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, such as using compostable packaging and reducing food waste.
• Community support: The Company supports local communities through various initiatives, such as partnering with local organizations and providing job opportunities for underserved populations.

The Company's commitment to its core values is evident in its various initiatives and programs. These values guide the company's actions and decisions, shaping its culture and contributing to its success. As of the fiscal year 2024, the company reported a total revenue of $620 million, reflecting a 22% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to the company's expansion efforts and its ability to maintain customer loyalty through its commitment to quality and values. The company also reported a comparable restaurant sales growth of 8%, indicating strong performance in its existing locations.

The company's dedication to sustainable practices is also noteworthy. In 2024, 90% of the company's produce was sourced from local farmers, supporting local economies and reducing transportation emissions. Additionally, the company achieved a 75% waste diversion rate through its composting and recycling programs, minimizing its environmental impact.

To gain more insights into the financial aspects of the Company, consider exploring this resource: Breaking Down Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors