Sweetgreen(US:SG) The Motley Fool·2026-01-24 16:50Core Viewpoint - Sweetgreen's stock has significantly declined, raising questions about whether it presents a buying opportunity or should be avoided by investors [1][2]. Company Overview - Sweetgreen focuses on healthy food in the fast-casual restaurant sector, emphasizing health and sustainability while incorporating automation to reduce costs [1][2]. - The company has plans to open 37 new restaurants by 2025, increasing its total to 266 by the end of Q3 2025 [3]. Financial Performance - Revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2025 grew by 2% to $524 million, but same-store sales dropped by 7% during the same period [3]. - Operating expenses have increased, leading to a net loss of $84 million in the first three quarters of 2025, up from $61 million in the same period the previous year [4]. Strategic Adjustments - In response to financial struggles, Sweetgreen has reduced its new restaurant growth plans to 20 locations in 2026 [5]. - The company holds $130 million in cash and expects to gain an additional $100 million from selling its automation unit, Spyce, which may provide time for a turnaround [5]. Market Position - Sweetgreen's stock has experienced a nearly 80% decline over the past year, resulting in a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.2, significantly lower than competitors like Chipotle (4.5) and Cava (7.2) [5][7]. - The low P/S ratio may attract risk-tolerant investors, but the lack of profitability raises concerns about the stock's potential for recovery [9].