Sweetgreen has reported heavy losses—$442 million in the past three and a half years and more than $908 million since 2014—while same-store sales declined in 2025. A nationwide fries rollout was aborted and became emblematic of broader execution problems. The stock has tumbled over 70% this year as investors withdraw. The chain operates 260-plus restaurants with 2025 revenue tracking above $700 million but aspires to 1,000 locations. Founders remain deeply involved, prioritizing technology and brand choices that critics say overlooked fundamental elements that make other popular chains consistently profitable. Calls for founder leadership change have emerged.
It's one of the great questions of our modern age: How does Sweetgreen lose money selling $14 (and up!) fast casual salads and bowls? And not just a little money but $442 million in the last three and a half years and more than $908 million since 2014. Sweetgreen is having a disastrous 2025, with same-store sales down 7.6% in the second quarter after a Q1 drop of 3.1%, and a now aborted rollout of fries ( how do you mess up fries?).
Investors are fleeing the stock, sending it down more than 70% this year. No one has ever grown a salad chain to Sweetgreen's size, with 260-plus restaurants and 2025 revenue tracking to more than $700 million. But if the company is to achieve its lofty goals, 1,000 locations mainstreaming its healthy and sustainable ethos, it's time for the three founders-CEO Jonathan Neman, chief concept officer Nicolas Jammet, and chief brand officer Nathaniel Ru-to step aside. Let me tell you why.
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