Get ready to taste the freshest, most delicious salads and bowls at Sweetgreen – the farm-to-table franchise revolutionizing the fast-casual dining scene. Fast-casual restaurant chain Sweetgreen is known for its farm-to-table salads and bowls. With a focus on using locally produced and sustainable products, has now grown to include other locations around the United States. With a large following among consumers who are concerned about their health, the Sweetgreen franchise has earned a reputation for its dedication to health and wellness.

How much does a Sweetgreen franchise cost

The price of a Sweetgreen franchise is not yet known as the company is not currently providing franchise possibilities. When the business used to provide franchise opportunities in the past, the price of a franchise would ordinarily include,

The Sweetgreen Franchise fee was typically around $30,000 to $50,000.

Sweetgreen Franchise Initial and On-going Franchise Cost
Sweetgreen Franchise Fee $30,000-$35,000
Sweetgreen Franchise Cost $199,726-$549,295

sweetgreen-franchise

How much do Sweetgreen franchise owners make?

No information regarding this has been disclosed by the Sweet Green franchise team. 

What is Sweetgreen franchise profit?

In 2021, Sweetgreen’s revenue experienced a significant increase of 54%, reaching a total of $340 million. This growth was primarily driven by a 25% increase in comparable-store sales and the opening of 31 new restaurants. It’s important to note that this growth was partly influenced by the favorable comparison to 2020 when comparable-store sales decreased by 26% due to the pandemic. 

In the future, it’s unlikely to see similar growth rates as high as 50%. However, it is important to pay attention to comparable sales and restaurant openings, as these are the key factors that determine Sweetgreen’s overall revenue growth. If these numbers continue to remain high, it will likely lead to a similar increase in consolidated revenue growth.

Sweetgreen Franchise Requirements

The company is currently not offering franchise opportunities at this time and they are only opening company-owned locations. Sweetgreen has had some requirements for potential franchisees in the past. 

Franchisees were typically required to have a net worth of at least $1 million and liquid assets of at least $500,000.

What are Sweetgreen franchise reviews?

Sweetgreen’s financial performance is not in good shape, especially for a restaurant business. The company reported a net loss of $153 million, which resulted in a negative net margin of 45%. This might be acceptable for a company that is focused on fast growth, but considering that Sweetgreen is a salad chain, it’s not expected to have a huge budget for research and development that would cause such high losses. 

To put this into perspective, Chipotle, a pioneer in the industry, reported a net income of $6 million on revenue of $469 million in the year 2004, while it was operating at a similar size to Sweetgreen today. This is concerning as Sweetgreen is not even close to breaking even in comparison.

Sweetgreen Franchise Rankings

  • In terms of CEO Score when compared to its rivals, Sweetgreen comes in front.
  • Sweetgreen Ranks 1st in Net Promoter Score
  • Sweetgreen Ranks 4th in Product Quality Score

 

What is Sweetgreen?

The Sweet Green restaurant business was established in 2007 in Washington, D.C., and since then, it has grown to include other sites all around the country. Sweetgreen is renowned for its emphasis on health and wellbeing as well as its dedication to using sustainably produced and locally sourced products. There are numerous salad and bowl selections on the menu as well as seasonal and limited-time items. 

Customers can mix & match different greens, toppings, and dressings to construct their salads and bowls. In addition to appreciating the food’s quality and flavor, health-conscious customers also value the franchise’s dedication to sustainability and ethical sourcing.

Franchise Industry Statistics 

  • According to data from market research firm Technomic, the fast-casual restaurant industry is projected to reach $265 billion in sales by 2023. 
  • Additionally, consumers are increasingly looking for fast-casual options that feature sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, which aligns well with Sweetgreen’s business model.

 

sweetgreen-franchise

Is Sweetgreen Franchise Opportunity?

Currently, Sweetgreen does not have any franchise opportunities available for sale.

Sweet Green is a privately held firm, and to my knowledge, it won’t be offering franchise opportunities beyond 2021.

Facts That Nobody Told You About Sweetgreen Restaurant

  • The company sources many of its ingredients from local farmers and suppliers and is committed to using sustainable and ethically sourced products.
  • Sweet Green has a popular “Sweet Green in Schools” program, which aims to improve the health and wellness of students by providing education and resources about healthy eating.
Sweet Green Franchise Information
Industry Type Food Franchise Opportunities 
Sub Category Fast food franchise opportunities
Year Established 2007
Company Name Sweet Green
Founder/Management Head Nicolas Jammet, Nathaniel Ru, and Jonathan Neman
Franchise Expansion Plan expanding through company-owned stores and strategic partnerships.
Number of Units 140
Number of Franchise Units
Social Media Handles Facebook
  Twitter
  Instagram
Company Office location  Los Angles

Sweetgreen Training to Restaurants

In the past, when the company did offer franchise opportunities, the training provided would typically include

Franchisees were required to complete an initial training program, which covered topics such as food preparation, customer service, restaurant management, and health and safety regulations.

Franchisees and their management team would typically receive additional training at the restaurant location, to ensure that they have the necessary skills to run the business effectively.

Franchisees could have the opportunity to work alongside experienced Sweetgreen operators to learn the operations and gain insights from their experience. 

Sweetgreen Restaurant Operations 

Franchisees were required to follow the company’s established menu, which features a variety of salads, grain bowls, and other healthy options, made with seasonal, high-quality ingredients. Franchisees were required to adhere to the company’s branding and marketing guidelines and participate in company-wide marketing and advertising campaigns. Franchisees were required to provide regular financial and operational reports to the franchisor and comply with all local and national laws and regulations related to running a restaurant.

How is Sweetgreen Franchise Territory Granted

In the past, franchisees have been given an exclusive region, which means that the franchisor wouldn’t build any further restaurants within a specific distance of the franchisee’s eatery. Franchisees might have been compelled to sign a development agreement that would have mandated the opening of a certain number of restaurants within a given time frame and in a particular region.

 

sweetgreen-franchise

What is Sweetgreen Franchise Term of Agreement and Renewal?

No information regarding the Sweet Green Franchise term of agreement and renewal is mentioned. 

Does Sweetgreen provide Financial Assistance to Franchises?

There is no information regarding this as of now. If you want to know then you can reach out to the officials of the franchise brand. 

Pros & Cons of Owning a Sweetgreen Franchise

Pros

  1. Established brand recognition

 As a franchisee, you would be operating under the Sweetgreen brand, which may already have a strong reputation and customer base in your area.

  1. Proven business model

The franchisor will provide you with a tried-and-true business model and support to help you achieve success.

  1. Marketing and advertising support

The franchisor will typically provide marketing and advertising support to help promote your business.

  1. Access to resources

As a franchisee, you will have access to resources such as training programs, operational support, and purchasing power that may be difficult to come by as an independent business owner.

Cons

  1. Limited flexibility

As a franchisee, you will be required to follow the franchisor’s established business model and adhere to certain guidelines. This can limit your ability to make certain business decisions or try new things.

  1. Ongoing fees

 Franchisees are typically required to pay ongoing royalties and other fees to the franchisor, which can eat into your profits.

  1. Limited control over the products

Franchisees have limited control over the products, pricing, and services offered in the store.

  1. Limited control over the location

Franchisees may not have the final say on the location of the store, which can affect the success of the business.

Franchise Deck Analysis and Overview

If Sweetgreen can achieve operating margins similar to Chipotle’s, which is around 10%, the stock’s valuation would be 87 times the operating income. However, this assumption may be too optimistic, considering the current financial losses Sweetgreen is facing.

To bring down these high valuation multiples, Sweetgreen will have to continue to grow at a rapid pace. However, it’s important to note that a lot of expansion is already reflected in the current stock price. Investors should avoid Sweetgreen for the time being due to concerns over its profitability and inflated price.

Sweetgreen Franchise Sucess and Failure Rate

The founders of Sweetgreen have broadened the idea of their brand’s purpose, which is to link people to genuine food, beyond the salads they sell, as the company has developed. For instance, their Sweetgreen in Schools initiative has taught over 9,000 students about healthy eating and is now assisting in the reconstruction and reimagining of the school cafeteria. 

Along the way, the business also made use of technology, developing a mobile app that now has almost 2 million users and generates more than 50% of its sales. Two years ago, it also put all of its suppliers on the blockchain.

Is the Sweetgreen franchise worth the investment?

Sweetgreen is a well-established brand with a strong reputation for high-quality, healthy food and sustainable practices. This can help attract customers and generate positive word-of-mouth. If the demand for this type of food continues to grow in the area where the franchise is located, it could be a good opportunity.

Franchise Alternatives of Sweetgreen Restaurant

There are many franchise alternatives to Sweetgreen Restaurant. One option is to start your salad shop. This can be a great way to get your own business up and running and make good money. 

You will need to have a lot of dedication and work ethic to be successful in this business, but the profits are high. Another option is to open your own cafe. This type of business is very popular and can be very lucrative. You will need to have a good eye for design and be able to manage a busy cafe.

Alternatives of Sweetgreen Franchise
Franchise Brand Cost to Franchise Franchisee Fees Royalty + Ad fees Expected Profit Recoup of Capital FD Rating
Sweet Green Franchise  $199,726- $549,295 $30,000 –  $35,000 N/A Profit margin 16%   3.9/5.0
Chipotle Franchise  $1,599,000 $25,000 N/A $587,618 4.75 years 4.0/5.0
Shake Shack franchise  $1.5 M to $2.7 M  $40,000-$45,000 5-6% (+/-) 1% 12–15% profit margin   3.5/5.0
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQFranchise  $216,500 – $792,500 $40,000 7% + 2%      2.1 / 5.0
Panera Bread  $1,117,000 to $3,464,000 $35,000 5% + 2.6% 15% profit margin  7.25 years 3.0/5.0
Wingstop Franchise  $315,310 to $948,080 $20,000 2-4% (+/-) 5%     3.0/5.0

The Franchise Deck rating for the Sweetgreen franchise is 3.9/5.0

 

sweetgreen-franchise

Conclusion: Does Sweetgreen franchise?

Even though the Sweetgreen franchise has managed to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic, the company is still in a growing phase and has yet to achieve profitability. For them to be profitable, they will have to keep expanding and opening new locations while also cutting down on the expenses associated with running their restaurants. However, their ability to do so will depend on how much labor and other costs revert to pre-pandemic levels.

Entrepreneurs who want to open a franchise in the fast food restaurant franchise opportunities categories can look at 

  1. Burger King Franchise
  2. Captain D’s, LLC 
  3. Fresh&Co 
  4. Jon Smith Subs  
  5. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue 
  6. MyFrii Franchise, LLC 
  7. Panera Bread franchise
  8. Cracker Barrel Franchise
  9. Underdog BBQ Franchise
  10. Shipley Donuts Franchise
  11. Mini Donut Franchise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Is the Sweet Green franchise profitable?

Yes, the Sweet Green Franchise is profitable. 

  1. Can you make money owning a Sweet Green franchise?

Yes, you can make money owning a Sweet Green. 

  1. Is Sweetgreen a franchise?

No, they are not franchising currently. 

  1. How much does the Sweet Green franchise cost?

The cost of Sweetgreen is $30,000-$35,000.

  1. How do Sweet Green franchises make money?

Sweetgreen franchises make money by operating a restaurant business under the Sweet Green brand and business model. They generate revenue from the sale of food and beverages.

Published On: January 17th, 2023 / Categories: Blog, Food Franchise Opportunities /

3 Comments

  1. Karen March 6, 2023 at 6:09 am - Reply

    Sweetgreen is an affordable franchise option, with a relatively low start-up cost.
    Sweetgreen has a strong online presence and is easily accessible, making it a great franchise for those looking to supplement their income.
    Sweetgreen’s commitment to quality ingredients, sustainability, and customer satisfaction make it a great franchise for those looking to make a positive impact.
    Sweetgreen’s menu is constantly evolving, allowing franchise owners to stay up to date with the latest trends in healthy eating.

  2. Cillan March 6, 2023 at 6:11 am - Reply

    Sweetgreen is an affordable franchise option, with a relatively low start-up cost.
    Sweetgreen has a strong online presence and is easily accessible, making it a great franchise for those looking to supplement their income.
    Sweetgreen’s commitment to quality ingredients, sustainability, and customer satisfaction make it a great franchise for those looking to make a positive impact.
    Sweetgreen’s menu is constantly evolving, allowing franchise owners to stay up to date with the latest trends in healthy eating.
    Sweetgreen’s unique and delicious salads and bowls have gained a loyal following, making it a great franchise for those looking to build a successful business.

  3. Bradley March 6, 2023 at 6:12 am - Reply

    Sweetgreen provides extensive training and support for franchise owners, ensuring that they are set up for success.
    Sweetgreen’s rewards program encourages customers to keep coming back, making it a great franchise for those looking to build loyalty.
    Sweetgreen has a strong commitment to community involvement, making it an ideal franchise for those looking to make a difference in their local community. Sweetgreen is a great franchise option for those looking to make a positive impact while enjoying the benefits of owning their own business.

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