Sweetgreen Bets on Fries and Loyalty for Growth

Core Insights - Sweetgreen achieved its first full year of positive adjusted EBITDA in 2024, reporting $18.7 million, a $21.5 million improvement from the previous year [2][3] - The company is focusing on expanding its Infinite Kitchen technology, which has shown to deliver significant labor cost reductions and improved operational efficiency [4][5] - Sweetgreen plans to enhance its menu innovation and launch a revamped loyalty program to increase customer frequency and broaden its customer base [6][7] Financial Performance - Sweetgreen's adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $18.7 million, marking a key milestone in the company's history [2][3] - The restaurant-level margin expanded by over 200 basis points year over year to 19.6%, indicating improved operational efficiency [3] - For 2025, the company expects revenue between $760 million and $780 million, with same-store sales growth of 1%-3% and adjusted EBITDA between $32 million and $38 million [8] Strategic Initiatives - The Infinite Kitchen technology is operational in 12 locations, with plans to install it in 20 of the 40 new restaurant locations planned for 2025 [5] - Sweetgreen is launching a new loyalty program, SG Rewards, in April 2025, offering customers 10 points for every eligible dollar spent [7] - The company aims to drive traffic through menu innovation and enhance the digital experience, focusing on strengthening brand engagement [9]