Mr. Market didn't have much of an appetite for Sweetgreen (SG -0.66%) stock over the past few days. The salad-focused healthy cuisine restaurant chain operator fell out of favor due to increasingly stern warnings about the current outbreak of the cyclospora parasite, which has been linked to lettuce.
No cases have been reported at any Sweetgreen restaurant, but since it's a salad purveyor, investors were spooked anyway. According to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the company's stock tumbled by almost 15% over the course of the trading week.
A widening outbreak The federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its first Health Alert Network advisory last week. Since then, healthcare authorities have issued several updates indicating that cyclospora is spreading.
Image source: Getty Images.
The latest came on Friday, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcing that the outbreak, thought to originate in central Mexico, appears to have caused illnesses in nine states -- Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
All told, based on findings from the CDC, the parasite has affected 1,947 people. Of these, 98 hospitalizations have been reported, although there have been no fatalities.
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Avoidance tactics While we're still some distance from a major, nationwide food healthcare emergency, the spread of cyclospora has been rapid, and caution is more than warranted. Diners will surely avoid restaurants like Sweetgreen, which in turn is going to affect the company's results. I think this stock has further to fall, so I'd avoid investing in it personally.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $6.65, demonstrating a -6.07% change from the preceding day's closing price. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.19%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.59%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.05%.
Prior to today's trading, shares of the company had lost 21.07% lagged the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 2.41% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.
The upcoming earnings release of Sweetgreen, Inc. will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on August 6, 2026. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be -$0.13, reflecting a 35% increase from the same quarter last year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $193.67 million, showing a 4.36% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $0.63 per share and a revenue of $708.74 million, representing changes of +155.26% and +4.31%, respectively, from the prior year.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sweetgreen, Inc. should also be noted by investors. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.79% higher within the past month. Sweetgreen, Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, Sweetgreen, Inc. is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 11.18. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 20.71.
Also, we should mention that SG has a PEG ratio of 0.91. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Retail - Restaurants industry was having an average PEG ratio of 2.
The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 192, finds itself in the bottom 22% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
To follow SG in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.
Sweetgreen (SG) saw its shares surge in the last session with trading volume being higher than average. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions could translate into further price increase in the near term.
U.S. regulators walked back its findings about contaminated lettuce, saying that the Taylor Farms sample initially reported as positive for cyclospora was actually a false positive.
SINGAPORE, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- YY Group Holding Limited (NASDAQ: YYGH) ("YY Group" or the "Company"), a Singapore-based company providing manpower services and integrated facility management ("IFM") services, today announced the appointment of Ng Yansheng as the Managing Director of YY Circle (SG) Pte. Ltd. ("YY Circle Singapore"), a wholly owned subsidiary of YY Group.
Shares of Sweetgreen (SG +13.83%) rallied on Friday after health officials identified the source of a worrisome illness that has spread rapidly across the U.S.
Image source: Getty Images.
A welcome relief Prior to today, Sweetgreen's stock had lost about a quarter of its value due to concerns regarding the cyclospora parasite that has sickened thousands of people.
The intestinal illness can be spread via contaminated fresh produce. Investors worried that people would avoid Sweetgreen's restaurants for fear that its salads could be a source of the parasite.
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Those fears were eased on Friday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told people not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in five states.
The warning followed a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation that reportedly traced the outbreak to one of Taco Bell's suppliers.
Not quite all clear yet Although shareholders were able to breathe a sigh of relief today, it's important to remember that Sweetgreen was already facing challenges before the Cyclospora outbreak.
The fast-casual chain's same-store sales fell 12.8% in the first quarter, driven by an 11.2% decline in customer traffic. Higher energy costs have weighed on consumers' budgets, forcing many people to cut back on restaurant visits.
Investors can expect to receive an update on Sweetgreen's efforts to boost sales amid a difficult macroeconomic backdrop when it reports its second-quarter financial results on Aug. 6.
Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Sweetgreen and Yum! Brands. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Sweetgreen stock jumped 15% Friday, paring back a massive four-day slump, after regulators traced an explosive diarrhea outbreak back to Taco Bell restaurants – sparing the salad bowl chain’s reputation.
The fast-casual salad chain – known for its so-called “slop bowls” – saw its stock soar as much as 21% Friday for its biggest intraday gain since August 2024.
It plummeted nearly 26% from Monday through Thursday’s close as investors feared consumers would steer clear of fresh produce as thousands of people across several US states were sickened by cyclosporiasis.
Sweetgreen – known for its so-called “slop bowls” – saw its stock soar as much as 21% Friday. Boston Globe via Getty Images The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said late Thursday that they had linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at a handful of Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Taylor Farms, a California-based fresh produce supplier, is preparing to recall ingredients linked to the outbreak.
“Sweetgreen does not use iceberg lettuce in our menu,” a spokesperson for Sweetgreen said in a statement.
“From the outset of the investigation, we have been in close contact with our suppliers to determine whether any ingredients in our supply chain have been identified as part of the investigation. To date, none have been.”
Shares of Sweetgreen are still down nearly 15% this week, while Taco Bell has fallen about roughly 8% during the same timeframe – similarly regaining some losses after the fast-food giant said it has removed lettuce from the tainted supplier nationwide.
The FDA said it was able to link the outbreak to the burrito-and-taco chain after more than 1,644 sick people suffering from cyclosporiasis reported eating at Taco Bell locations in five states.
Shares of Sweetgreen are still down nearly 15% this week. Ai – stock.adobe.com Regulators said they are working directly with the unnamed supplier – now reportedly believed to be Taylor Farms – to determine if the contaminated iceberg lettuce was sent to any other partners.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that is typically transmitted when infected feces contaminates food or water, according to the FDA.
It can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis, characterized by symptoms like watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, gas, nausea and fatigue, according to food safety regulators. Some people may become infected and be asymptomatic.
The main risk from cyclosporiasis is dehydration that can lead to more serious complications. Those most at risk include people with weakened immune systems, the elderly and children.
ToplineStocks of several fast food and fast casual eateries fell on Wednesday as investors appear concerned about the ongoing cyclospora outbreak possibly linked to ingredients like lettuce—with Sweetgreen falling a sharp 5.6%, even though no cases have been linked to the salad chain so far.
Health officials have not publicly linked the outbreak to any of the restaurants as of Wednesday, and haven’t identified the source of the parasite.
Gado via Getty Images
Key FactsThe stock of Sweetgreen, whose menu is centered around raw vegetables some are eschewing during the outbreak, has now tanked over 24% in the last month.
Taco Bell pulled some items from locations in select restaurants, the chain told Bloomberg on Tuesday, and stopped serving lettuce at some franchises in Michigan—the state reporting the largest outbreak in the parasite, which can cause explosive diarrhea.
Share prices for Taco Bell’s owner Yum Brands also fell 3.3% on Wednesday, and is down 7.4% over the last five trading sessions.
Chipotle’s stock price fell 4.8% on Wednesday, although shares remain up over the last six trading sessions.
In a statement sent to Forbes, Chipotle chief corporate affairs and food safety officer Laurie Schalow said the company didn’t believe its ingredients were associated with the outbreak, but would be “monitoring the situation closely and evaluating any new information as it becomes available.”
Health officials have not publicly associated any of the restaurants with the ongoing outbreak, though sources told the Washington Post authorities were investigating Taco Bell, and restaurants in Detroit reportedly pulled ingredients like lettuce, guacamole, cilantro and pico de gallo from their menus.
What Is Cyclospora?Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness primarily associated with watery diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness is not usually spread person-to-person, but can spread when people consume food contaminated with the parasite. Authorities are still investigating the outbreak and have not determined the source as of Wednesday. “Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said in a statement on Monday.
Big Number3,762. That’s how many cyclosporiasis cases have been reported in Michigan, according to public health authorities in the state. These include 44 cases that have required hospitalization. The CDC has confirmed a total 1,645 cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. as of Tuesday, and notes more than 5,100 cases require further investigation to confirm the illness.
Further ReadingForbesTaco Bell Investigated In Multistate Cyclosporiasis Outbreak, Report SaysBy Mary Whitfill Roeloffs
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $7.09, demonstrating a -14.27% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.38%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.02%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.9%.
Coming into today, shares of the company had lost 6.66% in the past month. In that same time, the Retail-Wholesale sector gained 0.77%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.27%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Sweetgreen, Inc. in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on August 6, 2026. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be -$0.13, reflecting a 35% increase from the same quarter last year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $193.39 million, reflecting a 4.21% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.
SG's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $0.62 per share and revenue of $708.46 million. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +154.39% and +4.27%, respectively.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Sweetgreen, Inc. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Sweetgreen, Inc. presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Looking at valuation, Sweetgreen, Inc. is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 13.27. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 20.71 of its industry.
Investors should also note that SG has a PEG ratio of 1.08 right now. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. The Retail - Restaurants industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.97 as trading concluded yesterday.
The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 190, placing it within the bottom 23% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE: SG) will release financial results for the second quarter of 2026 after the market close on Thursday, August 6, 2026. On that day, the company will host a webcast at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to discuss the company's business and financial results. A live webcast of the company's earnings call will be available on the investor relations section of the company's website at https://investor.sweetgreen.com/. An archived we.
In the latest close session, Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) was up +1.42% at $7.85. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.28%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 1.09%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.2%.
Heading into today, shares of the company had lost 3.25% over the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 0.18% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.
Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Sweetgreen, Inc. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at -$0.13, signifying a 35.00% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $193.39 million, indicating a 4.21% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $0.62 per share and a revenue of $708.46 million, demonstrating changes of +154.39% and +4.27%, respectively, from the preceding year.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sweetgreen, Inc. should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant. Sweetgreen, Inc. is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Looking at valuation, Sweetgreen, Inc. is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 12.42. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 20.29, so one might conclude that Sweetgreen, Inc. is trading at a discount comparatively.
It's also important to note that SG currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.01. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. SG's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.95 as of yesterday's close.
The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 202, placing it within the bottom 18% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
Made with organic peaches, the summer salad supports The Edible Schoolyard Project
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sweetgreen today announced the launch of its Alice Waters’ Peach & Goat Cheese Salad, available nationwide for a limited time from July 7 through August 10. Part of Sweetgreen’s Summer 2026 campaign, “You Wait for This,” the salad is timed to the brief window when peaches reach their sweetest, juiciest peak. Developed to celebrate chef, activist and author Alice Waters, the launch will also support The Edible Schoolyard Project’s work connecting students to nourishment, stewardship and community.
Sweetgreen’s summer menu is designed to move with the season. After beginning the summer with tomatoes at their best, the latest menu moment turns to another ingredient people wait all year for: ripe peaches.
ShareSweetgreen’s summer menu is designed to move with the season. After beginning the summer with tomatoes at their best, the latest menu moment turns to another ingredient people wait all year for: ripe peaches. The Alice Waters’ Peach & Goat Cheese Salad captures that fleeting flavor in a bright, chef-crafted dish made to be enjoyed while the season is here.
The salad is made with organic arugula and spring mix, peaches, goat cheese, cucumbers, basil, mint and almonds, then finished with lemon tarragon vinaigrette and garlic parm crunch. Sweet, creamy, herby and crisp, the recipe balances peak-season fruit with fresh herbs, tangy cheese and layers of texture.
“I have always believed that a perfect peach could be transformative,” said Alice Waters. “It’s always been my diplomatic calling card, whether it’s for presidents or school children. Nothing wakes you up like the taste of a perfect piece of stone fruit, and of all of them, the peach might be the most persuasive.”
“The Alice Waters’ Peach & Goat Cheese Salad is a celebration of what makes summer worth waiting for: produce at its peak, trusted farm partners and simple, thoughtful cooking,” said Zipporah Allen, Chief Commercial Officer at Sweetgreen. “Alice Waters has long championed local, seasonal and organic food sourced directly from farmers and we’re proud to bring it to the menu while supporting The Edible Schoolyard Project’s work helping the next generation build the same connection to real food.”
The launch will be supported by “Letters to Alice,” a small zine and social series honoring Waters’ lasting influence on food, farming and the culinary community. The series will begin with a personal tribute from Sweetgreen co-founder Nicolas Jammet, reflecting on Waters’ meaningful connection to the brand and her influence on its approach to seasonal food. That influence includes Waters’ introduction to the peaches that helped inspire Sweetgreen’s seasonal peach salad tradition. Additional installments will feature reflections and imagery from renowned chefs who have worked with and been influenced by Waters over the course of her career.
That celebration of peak-season peaches is brought to life through Sweetgreen’s network of regional suppliers. One in particular, Frog Hollow Farm, a Brentwood, California grower introduced to Sweetgreen by Alice Waters, supplies organic peaches to the brand’s Northern and Southern California restaurants during the height of the harvest.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Sweetgreen for this year’s Alice Waters’ Peach & Goat Cheese Salad,” said Lael Gerhart, Director of Engagement at Frog Hollow Farm. “Peak season peaches are one of summer's greatest pleasures, and this salad celebrates that moment beautifully. When guests enjoy our organic peaches, they're tasting the result of our commitment to building living soil and growing flavor.”
The salad was developed in collaboration with Alice Waters, whose longstanding work has helped shape how people think about seasonal ingredients, simple preparation and the relationship between food and the people who grow it.
That connection also extends beyond the menu through Sweetgreen’s support of The Edible Schoolyard Project. As part of the launch, Sweetgreen will donate to the nonprofit 1% of the net purchase price (excluding taxes, processing fees, discounts, and refunds) from each Alice Waters' Peach & Goat Cheese Salad purchased from July 7, 2026 to August 10, 2026, with a minimum donation of $25,000 and a maximum donation of $50,000. The Edible Schoolyard Project uses organic gardens, kitchen classrooms and cafeterias to help students connect with food, nature and community through hands-on learning.
The Alice Waters’ Peach & Goat Cheese Salad will be available nationwide from July 7 through August 10, alongside the Picnic Bowl and Summer Market Bowl. Guests can order in-store, through the Sweetgreen app or at www.sweetgreen.com, and follow @Sweetgreen on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.
About Sweetgreen:
Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) is on a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Since 2007, the brand has reimagined what fast food can be: fresh, flavorful and built on real relationships with growers. Sweetgreen’s supply chain spans the country while remaining rooted in partnerships with local farmers. Today, Sweetgreen serves seasonal, chef-crafted menus across more than 285 locations nationwide, creating spaces where food, people and purpose come together.
About The Edible Schoolyard Project:
The Edible Schoolyard Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the transformation of public education by using organic school gardens, kitchens and cafeterias to teach both academic subjects and the values of nourishment, stewardship and community. Edible education provides hands-on experiences that connect students to food, nature and each other; and at its heart is a dynamic and joyful learning experience for every child.
Salad chain Sweetgreen (SG 0.56%) stock soared 30% in the first half of the year, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Investors see the potential for a turnaround, and they celebrated the company's well-received wraps rollout. However, the stock is already falling from the initial surge.
Can Sweetgreen win in fast casual? Sweetgreen competes in the fast-casual restaurant category, dominated by Chipotle Mexican Grill, with competition from other leaders like Cava Group. It's shown promise in its time on the market, and it's expanding steadily, but it has struggled to gain traction recently.
Image source: Sweetgreen.
There have been various problems, with a substantial number of stores not meeting company standards and its healthy, expensive line of salads falling out with its core clientele, especially as inflation continues to rage.
It may have hit rock bottom in the 2026 fiscal first quarter (ended March 29), with a 12.8% decrease in comparable sales (comps), on top of a 3.1% decline the previous year. Operating loss was $34.3 million, worse than $28.5 million last year.
It has tried numerous ways to get back on track. It released a fries product last year, only to shut it down six months later; it rolled out Infinite Kitchen stores, which use an automated service to dispense salad items, and then sold off the parent company; and most recently, it introduced wraps on its menu.
Is the only way now up? Curiously, Sweetgreen soared after the report, but the gain was likely connected to a different update; it introduced wraps to its menu at the same time, and the market has embraced this change as a way forward, including some from Wall Street analysts raising price targets.
There are a number of reasons wraps make sense for Sweetgreen, a salad company, ranging from their greater convenience to their lower price point. The only salad model may not have a large enough addressable market, and wraps add a whole new potential client base.
However, Sweetgreen still looks risky while it's piloting this new product. I would caution investors to wait to see how the rollout goes and for sustained momentum, as well as comps increases, before deciding that Sweetgreen stock is a buy. It's already 21% off its highs from May, when it announced the wraps, and the stock isn't even a bargain, trading at 63 times trailing 12-month earnings.
Jennifer Saibil has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cava Group and Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool recommends Sweetgreen and recommends the following options: short September 2026 $35 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Wall Street has not been kind to Sweetgreen (SG +3.04%). Shares of the restaurant chain have fared poorly over the past year. The stock is down nearly 40% in the last 12 months as of June 26.
Despite that, it's showing signs of a recovery. Year to date, shares have rebounded 35% through June 26. Even so, the stock remains well below the 52-week high of $16.70 reached last July.
So does it make sense to buy shares now? Answering that question requires digging deeper into the company.
Image source: Getty Images.
Sweetgreen's struggles Sweetgreen's stock fell on hard times as persistent inflation put pressure on consumer wallets, making its pricey menu items no longer an option for many. This is evident in the company's fiscal first-quarter results (ended March 29). Restaurants that have been open at least 13 months experienced an 11% drop in foot traffic compared to a year ago.
Fewer customers translated into a 3% year-over-year decline in Q1 sales to $161.5 million. Sweetgreen mitigated the damage by leaning into its loyalty program customers. Q1 revenue from its digital channel, where the company lumps loyalty program sales, totaled $62.8 million, up substantially from $53 million in the prior year.
While Sweetgreen's digital sales were a bright spot, the company's struggles with profitability only worsened in the face of declining customer numbers. Its Q1 operating loss of $34.3 million was an increase from the previous year's loss of $28.5 million. It exited the quarter with net income of $125.8 million compared to a net loss of $25 million in 2025 because it sold its ambitious kitchen automation business, Infinite Kitchen, to reduce costs and focus on core operations.
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Sweetgreen's rebound efforts The company is now pivoting to cheaper menu items to attract value-conscious consumers. As part of this initiative, it added wraps to the menu in May, and early tests showed it improved customer acquisition.
It's also working to strengthen kitchen operations to enable faster throughput and improve operational efficiency, which should reduce costs. The company's efforts contributed to share price gains this year.
If Sweetgreen succeeds in driving customer growth, it will have a runway for business expansion. At the end of 2025, it operated 281 restaurants across 24 states, giving it plenty of additional states to expand into. The company opened four locations in Q1 and expects to reach about 13 this year. That's significantly less than the 35 restaurants opened in 2025, but the reduction is intentional to manage costs.
Sweetgreen's efforts to strengthen its business and grow its customer base are promising, although I bought its stock because I like the food. As famed investor Peter Lynch recommended, invest in what you know. I also believe in the company's mission to provide nutritious cuisine and support sustainable farming practices.
The success it's having with digital sales and the loyalty program demonstrates the company knows how to retain customers. Its menu changes show it can adapt to shifting macroeconomics and consumer struggles with inflation. These are all encouraging signs of Sweetgreen's potential recovery and make it a worthwhile consumer stock to consider.
A lot of people are buying Sweetgreen (SG +3.04%) shares these days. As of June 29, the fast-casual salad chain's stock has gained 90.4% from a deep trough near the end of March. Trading volumes are up in the past three months, short-seller interest is down, and the company's turnaround effort seems to be working.
That's Wall Street's conclusion at the moment, anyway. But I don't agree.
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The salad days are over You see, I think the wheels have come off Sweetgreen's expansion push, and they won't go back on.
The company was hot in 2024. Sales were soaring. Free cash flows were approaching the breakeven point, quarter by quarter. Two years ago, Sweetgreen's stock was up 144% on a 52-week basis.
But that was the peak. The company kept building restaurants, expanding the network from 225 locations in the middle of 2024 to 285 restaurants in Q1 2026. Meanwhile, cash reserves dwindled from $245 million to $157 million. And that includes a $161 million cash boost in Q1 2026 from the sale of Spyce, which developed the robotic Infinite Kitchen technology at the heart of Sweetgreen's expansion plans.
Image source: Getty Images.
Sweetgreen keeps swinging and missing Sweetgreen isn't out of ideas. The recently introduced wraps might spark consumer interest in this chain, and create-your-own bowls and salads could appeal to price-sensitive customers. And same-store sales have nowhere to go but up after cratering 12.8% year over year in Q1 2026.
However, Sweetgreen has tried new food items and operating models before, with downright disastrous results. Ripple fries went off the menu less than six months after their introduction in March 2025. I already mentioned the Spyce robotic food service idea, which alienated people more than it saved operating costs.
The wraps are on brand, and a slower expansion rate could work better. But ultimately, it's too easy to find similar menu items at lower prices from world-class competitors such as Cava (CAVA 4.14%) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG +3.09%). In particular, Sweetgreen's wraps look like a tough sell next to Chipotle's popular burritos.
Let the crowd have this one. I'm not buying Sweetgreen stock until the turnaround gets some real traction.
Anders Bylund has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cava Group and Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool recommends Sweetgreen and recommends the following options: short June 2026 $36 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $9.14, moving +2.01% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.05%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.09%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.24%.
Heading into today, shares of the company had lost 12.24% over the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 7.87% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.42%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Sweetgreen, Inc. in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of -$0.13, marking a 35% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $193.39 million, showing a 4.21% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $0.62 per share and a revenue of $708.46 million, representing changes of +154.39% and +4.27%, respectively, from the prior year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sweetgreen, Inc. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged. Sweetgreen, Inc. is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Digging into valuation, Sweetgreen, Inc. currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 14.37. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 19.56.
It's also important to note that SG currently trades at a PEG ratio of 1.17. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Retail - Restaurants industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.93.
The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 193, finds itself in the bottom 21% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$4.49▼
$16.70P/E Ratio72.26
Price Target$8.04
Shares of Sweetgreen Inc. NYSE: SG have surged 60% over the past three months, rebounding from a steep selloff that began in late 2024 as concerns about slowing consumer demand mounted. The rally has some questioning whether the company's efforts to revive the business are finally gaining traction or if the stock is simply rebounding from deeply oversold levels.
Sweetgreen's core business remains unprofitable, and the company has missed Wall Street expectations more often than not since going public, including the most recent quarter, reported on May 8.
Get Sweetgreen alerts:
However, encouraging comments about its turnaround efforts seem to have sparked fresh optimism.
Sweetgreen Shares Have Surged Since Hitting March LowThe fast-casual chain, known for its salads and other healthy menu items, went public in late 2021, and its shares initially soared. However, the gains were short-lived, and the stock spent much of the next few years under pressure as the company struggled to turn a profit.
In 2024, things started to look up. The stock went from trading around $10 in January to above $44 by November. But as concerns about slowing consumer demand emerged, those gains quickly unraveled. By March 2026, the stock had plunged to an all-time low of $4.49. Since then, shares have rebounded sharply, surging nearly 100%.
The catalyst doesn't appear to be the company's most recent earnings report. Sweetgreen posted a first-quarter loss of 27 cents per share, wider than the 21-cent-per-share loss reported a year earlier and Wall Street's estimate for a 23-cent loss. Revenue of roughly $162 million fell nearly 3% year over year and missed expectations by about $2 million. The results marked the company's fourth consecutive earnings and revenue miss and its third straight quarter of declining revenue.
Turnaround Plan Is Showing Signs of TractionDespite the disappointing earnings report, the company's comments on its Sweetgrowth Transformation Plan, launched in November 2025 to help turn the business around, appeared to spark optimism among investors.
During the earnings call, co-founder and Chief Executive Jonathan Neman said, "We are beginning to see signs that the actions we are putting in place are gaining traction. We are seeing improvement in execution across our restaurants, greater consistency in the guest experience, and stronger alignment across our teams."
He added, "We saw improvement as the quarter progressed with a further step up in April."
Neman also expressed enthusiasm about the recent addition of wraps to the menu, which he described as Sweetgreen's "most significant menu expansion in several years." The company expects wraps to help drive traffic while making the brand more accessible because of its lower price point.
Sentiment Has Improved, But Wall Street Remains CautiousInvestors appeared encouraged by the company's comments about improving trends. In the weeks following the report, five analysts raised their price targets on the stock, while two upgraded their ratings.
Even with the recent upgrades, Wall Street remains somewhat cautious. The consensus rating on Sweetgreen is Hold, based on 12 Hold ratings, four Buys, and three Sells. The majority of analysts aren't anticipating upside over the next year. The average 12-month price target of just above $8 is roughly 5% below the current share price. Price targets range from a low of $4.50 to a high of $15.
There are other indicators that suggest sentiment may be improving as well. The number of shares sold short has fallen from roughly 25 million, or nearly 27% of float, at the end of March to less than 20 million, or roughly 20% of float, as of the most recent reporting period at the end of May. While the stock remains heavily shorted, some bearish investors appear to be backing away from the name.
Insiders also appear to be expressing confidence in the company. Over the past three months, Sweetgreen insiders purchased roughly $3.4 million worth of company stock. No insider sales were reported.
Despite Recent Rally, Stock Remains Well Below HighsEven after the recent rally, Sweetgreen shares are still trading around $9, well below their July 52-week high of $16.70 and far below the more than $44 level reached in November 2024.
The stock's steep decline has left Sweetgreen trading at a discount to several peers in the fast-casual restaurant sector, which could help explain the renewed interest in the shares.
On a price-to-sales basis, Sweetgreen stock trades at less than 1.6X sales, compared with roughly 8.3X for CAVA Group Inc. NYSE: CAVA, 3.4X for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. NYSE: CMG, and 6.1X for Wingstop Inc. NASDAQ: WING. Shake Shack Inc. NYSE: SHAK, which plummeted after reporting disappointing Q1 results, is the closest comparison, trading at 1.7X sales.
Sweetgreen's rebound likely began as investors saw value in a stock that had been heavily sold off. More recently, however, signs of progress in the company's turnaround efforts appear to have provided additional support for the rally.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Price Chart for Wednesday, June, 24, 2026
While the company's financial results still leave plenty of room for improvement, investors seem increasingly focused on what comes next. The second-quarter earnings report in August should provide a clearer indication of whether the recent improvement in traffic trends continued and whether Sweetgreen is beginning to translate those gains into stronger financial performance.
Should You Invest $1,000 in Sweetgreen Right Now?Before you consider Sweetgreen, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Sweetgreen wasn't on the list.
While Sweetgreen currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Click the link to see MarketBeat's guide to investing in 5G and which 5G stocks show the most promise.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $8.32, moving -7.25% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.37%. At the same time, the Dow added 0.29%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.33%.
Shares of the company have depreciated by 8.28% over the course of the past month, underperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.65%, and the S&P 500's gain of 2.02%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Sweetgreen, Inc. in its upcoming release. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be -$0.13, reflecting a 35% increase from the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $193.39 million, up 4.21% from the year-ago period.
For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $0.62 per share and a revenue of $708.46 million, representing changes of +154.39% and +4.27%, respectively, from the prior year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Sweetgreen, Inc. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.
Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.79% lower. Sweetgreen, Inc. presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Sweetgreen, Inc. has a Forward P/E ratio of 14.39 right now. This valuation marks a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 19.16.
Investors should also note that SG has a PEG ratio of 1.17 right now. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. SG's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.91 as of yesterday's close.
The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 205, putting it in the bottom 16% of all 250+ industries.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$4.49▼
$16.70P/E Ratio72.26
Price Target$8.04
Shares of Sweetgreen Inc. NYSE: SG have surged 60% over the past three months, rebounding from a steep selloff that began in late 2024 as concerns about slowing consumer demand mounted. The rally has some questioning whether the company's efforts to revive the business are finally gaining traction or if the stock is simply rebounding from deeply oversold levels.
Sweetgreen's core business remains unprofitable, and the company has missed Wall Street expectations more often than not since going public, including the most recent quarter, reported on May 8.
Get Sweetgreen alerts:
However, encouraging comments about its turnaround efforts seem to have sparked fresh optimism.
Sweetgreen Shares Have Surged Since Hitting March LowThe fast-casual chain, known for its salads and other healthy menu items, went public in late 2021, and its shares initially soared. However, the gains were short-lived, and the stock spent much of the next few years under pressure as the company struggled to turn a profit.
In 2024, things started to look up. The stock went from trading around $10 in January to above $44 by November. But as concerns about slowing consumer demand emerged, those gains quickly unraveled. By March 2026, the stock had plunged to an all-time low of $4.49. Since then, shares have rebounded sharply, surging nearly 100%.
The catalyst doesn't appear to be the company's most recent earnings report. Sweetgreen posted a first-quarter loss of 27 cents per share, wider than the 21-cent-per-share loss reported a year earlier and Wall Street's estimate for a 23-cent loss. Revenue of roughly $162 million fell nearly 3% year over year and missed expectations by about $2 million. The results marked the company's fourth consecutive earnings and revenue miss and its third straight quarter of declining revenue.
Turnaround Plan Is Showing Signs of TractionDespite the disappointing earnings report, the company's comments on its Sweetgrowth Transformation Plan, launched in November 2025 to help turn the business around, appeared to spark optimism among investors.
During the earnings call, co-founder and Chief Executive Jonathan Neman said, "We are beginning to see signs that the actions we are putting in place are gaining traction. We are seeing improvement in execution across our restaurants, greater consistency in the guest experience, and stronger alignment across our teams."
He added, "We saw improvement as the quarter progressed with a further step up in April."
Neman also expressed enthusiasm about the recent addition of wraps to the menu, which he described as Sweetgreen's "most significant menu expansion in several years." The company expects wraps to help drive traffic while making the brand more accessible because of its lower price point.
Sentiment Has Improved, But Wall Street Remains CautiousInvestors appeared encouraged by the company's comments about improving trends. In the weeks following the report, five analysts raised their price targets on the stock, while two upgraded their ratings.
Even with the recent upgrades, Wall Street remains somewhat cautious. The consensus rating on Sweetgreen is Hold, based on 12 Hold ratings, four Buys, and three Sells. The majority of analysts aren't anticipating upside over the next year. The average 12-month price target of just above $8 is roughly 5% below the current share price. Price targets range from a low of $4.50 to a high of $15.
There are other indicators that suggest sentiment may be improving as well. The number of shares sold short has fallen from roughly 25 million, or nearly 27% of float, at the end of March to less than 20 million, or roughly 20% of float, as of the most recent reporting period at the end of May. While the stock remains heavily shorted, some bearish investors appear to be backing away from the name.
Insiders also appear to be expressing confidence in the company. Over the past three months, Sweetgreen insiders purchased roughly $3.4 million worth of company stock. No insider sales were reported.
Despite Recent Rally, Stock Remains Well Below HighsEven after the recent rally, Sweetgreen shares are still trading around $9, well below their July 52-week high of $16.70 and far below the more than $44 level reached in November 2024.
The stock's steep decline has left Sweetgreen trading at a discount to several peers in the fast-casual restaurant sector, which could help explain the renewed interest in the shares.
On a price-to-sales basis, Sweetgreen stock trades at less than 1.6X sales, compared with roughly 8.3X for CAVA Group Inc. NYSE: CAVA, 3.4X for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. NYSE: CMG, and 6.1X for Wingstop Inc. NASDAQ: WING. Shake Shack Inc. NYSE: SHAK, which plummeted after reporting disappointing Q1 results, is the closest comparison, trading at 1.7X sales.
Sweetgreen's rebound likely began as investors saw value in a stock that had been heavily sold off. More recently, however, signs of progress in the company's turnaround efforts appear to have provided additional support for the rally.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG) Price Chart for Wednesday, June, 24, 2026
While the company's financial results still leave plenty of room for improvement, investors seem increasingly focused on what comes next. The second-quarter earnings report in August should provide a clearer indication of whether the recent improvement in traffic trends continued and whether Sweetgreen is beginning to translate those gains into stronger financial performance.
Should You Invest $1,000 in Sweetgreen Right Now?Before you consider Sweetgreen, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Sweetgreen wasn't on the list.
While Sweetgreen currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Looking to profit from the electric vehicle mega-trend? Click the link to see our list of which EV stocks show the most long-term potential.
Dutch Bros (BROS +7.61%) and Sweetgreen (SG +5.28%) have basically the same playbook in different food categories: Both are fast-growing chains that have built cult followings by making everyday coffee and salads feel like a lifestyle choice rather than just a snack. Both bet big on loyal superfans, rapid expansion, and making people feel like a part of a club rather than just customers.
Then again, they are far from the same company, especially from an investor's point of view. Dutch Bros is all about speed, convenience, and pure indulgence, offering a low ticket price, high volume, and quick transactions. Sweetgreen, on the other hand, leans into the premium health-conscious crowd with $15-plus salads and a high-tech ordering experience.
So Dutch Bros and Sweetgreen play related but distinct roles in today's food culture. But which stock is the better buy right now?
Today's Change
(
5.28
%) $
0.45
Current Price
$
8.97
Sweetgreen's growth story is wilting When I dove into this head-to-head matchup, I expected a close call. I'm looking at two fast-growing chains, building out their restaurant networks nationwide with ambitious long-term goals. Right?
I mean, those things are certainly true for Dutch Bros. The coffee chain is expanding at a breakneck pace, with less than 1,200 locations today and a target of 2,029 restaurants in the year 2029. That works out to roughly 19% annual growth for three years, which sounds reasonable for a company that doubled its locations over the past five years. The build-out is easier because Dutch Bros sets up small drive-through boxes with long car lines but no dining areas to build, clean, and maintain.
Sweetgreen can't quite measure up to Dutch Bros' growth plans, though. The salad chain's revenue used to grow more than 20% per year but actually wilted to year-over-year revenue drops in the past three quarterly reports. The number of customers per restaurant fell 11% year over year in Q1 2026, alongside a product mix that was 2% less profitable. The company raised prices, but customers chose lower-priced items instead of paying up for their favorites.
Today's Change
(
7.61
%) $
5.00
Current Price
$
70.72
Both stocks trade at premium prices So far, Dutch Bros looks like a stronger success story. But that doesn't necessarily make it a buy. After all, even a great company's stock can get overvalued, making new investors start from a difficult entry point.
Some investors surely feel that way about Dutch Bros today. The stock trades at a lofty 105 times trailing earnings on June 15. It also fetches a 6.3 multiple to trailing sales, a multiple usually reserved for restaurant chains with lots of franchisees and asset-light operations. But Dutch Bros owns and operates 72% of its locations and keeps building more fully owned ones. The franchisor-grade multiples don't apply here. In short, Dutch Bros' drinks may be affordable, but the stock trades at a premium price.
What about Sweetgreen? Well, the company insists on owning every location, giving it full control over the operations while pocketing all profit (or accepting losses). In that light, its 1.6 price-to-sales ratio makes sense. But Sweetgreen's stock also trades at a juicy 71 times earnings, and management expects net losses in 2026 and 2027.
Image source: Getty Images.
Why I'd pick Dutch Bros over Sweetgreen This one isn't close. Dutch Bros is serving up consistent growth with a side of profitability, while Sweetgreen is still trying to figure out how to make fancy salads pay the bills. The financial scorecards tell the story: One company has $116 million in retained earnings; the other has torched $884 million more than it ever made. Spoiler alert: The profitable one serves lattes and energy drinks.
With 19% of Sweetgreen's float sold short, plenty of traders are betting the kale empire has more wilting ahead. And the analyst community agrees, rating Sweetgreen as a "hold" while Dutch Bros sports a "strong buy."
Sweetgreen may not be uninvestable forever, of course. If management can stabilize customer traffic, prove that its Infinite Kitchen automation reduces costs to a meaningful degree, and get back to positive sales growth, the salad stock would deserve another look.
But that's a turnaround thesis at this point, not a high-octane growth story. Dutch Bros is the stock I'd buy today.
The brand will bring its scratch-made salads, warm bowls, protein plates and wraps- including its new seasonal summer menu - to 341 11th Avenue South starting June 30, alongside a week of local partnerships and opening celebrations
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand serving healthy food at scale, is bringing its first-ever Nashville location to 341 11th Avenue South in Nashville's Gulch neighborhood on June 30. The restaurant marks Sweetgreen's debut in Tennessee, and to celebrate, the brand will host a week of community activations and local partnerships starting opening day.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the 2,755-square-foot restaurant will offer Sweetgreen’s signature salads, warm bowls, protein plates, wraps and sides. Guests can enjoy fan favorites like the Harvest Bowl and Crispy Rice Bowl, alongside Sweetgreen’s new summer menu featuring the Tomato Panzanella, Picnic Bowl and Summer Market Bowl, as well as protein-forward offerings like the Caramelized Garlic Steak and Miso Glazed Salmon.
Sweetgreen's commitment to high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients is reflected throughout the restaurant experience. From the open kitchen, where meals are prepared fresh daily, to the source board showcasing the farmers and growers behind its ingredients, every detail brings the brand's farm-to-fork mission to life.
Guests can order in-restaurant, online or through the Sweetgreen app, where they can join SG Rewards. Members earn 10 points for every eligible dollar spent, unlocking personalized offers, exclusive perks and free menu favorites. Get all the details about SG Rewards here.
“Choosing where to grow is one of the most important decisions we make, and Nashville was an easy one,” said Ryan Slemons, Chief Development Officer at Sweetgreen. “We're not just opening a restaurant here; we're investing in a community we believe in and planning to be a great neighbor for the long haul.”
Ahead of opening day, guests are invited to RSVP via Eventbrite for a sneak peek and complimentary meal on June 26 and 27.
Sweetgreen will then kick off a week of community activations at The Gulch, beginning with a grand opening event on Tuesday, June 30. Event details include:
Tuesday, June 30 (starting at 10 a.m.) – Grand Opening: A day of celebration featuring live music from Nick Howard, a Sweetgreen Prize Wheel featuring Rustler Hat Co., floral bouquets from Amelia’s Flowers and other exciting prizes! From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last.* Plus, the first 50 guests in line at 10 a.m. will receive a free entree (up to $20).** Thursday, July 2 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) – Custom Bandanas: Stop by for live bandana stitching from RangerStitch, custom keepsakes made on-site. Friday, July 3 (12 to 2 p.m.) – Sweet Treats: Cool down with a KOKOS Ice Cream cart pop-up on the patio. Saturday, July 11 (9 to 9:45 a.m.) – Wellness Event: Join us at Noble Park for a morning wellness event with Barre3 Nashville and Lululemon. All attendees will receive a Sweetgreen workout towel. RSVP via Eventbrite. While supplies last. Below terms apply.
Sweetgreen is proud to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, a nonprofit committed to ending hunger across the region. For every meal purchased on opening day, Sweetgreen will donate a bowl to Second Harvest to nourish people experiencing food insecurity in the Nashville community.
To learn more about Sweetgreen Nashville, its menu and its loyalty program, visit www.sweetgreen.com and follow @sweetgreen on Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube.
About Sweetgreen:
Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) is on a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Since 2007, the brand has reimagined what fast food can be: fresh, flavorful and built on real relationships with growers. Born at the farmers market, Sweetgreen’s supply chain now spans the country, still rooted in relationships with local farmers and growers. That foundation continues to guide its seasonal, chef-crafted menus across more than 285 locations nationwide, creating spaces where food, people and purpose come together.
Terms and Conditions:
All promotional items available in-store only at Sweetgreen Nashville (The Gulch). While supplies last. No purchase necessary. All times CT.
*For Prize Wheel: Available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or while supplies of prizes last, whichever is sooner. Void where prohibited. Official Rules apply here. Limit one spin per person.
**The first 50 guests will receive a complimentary entree (up to $20), on a first come, first served basis. Limit one per person. Ends 11 a.m. or when 50 entrees have been provided, whichever is sooner. Full terms at bit.ly/sg-terms.
Assets:
Images linked here
Photos Courtesy of Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen (SG +5.28%), the fast casual restaurant chain specializing in salads and warm bowls, went public at $28 per share on Nov. 18, 2021. It opened at $52 on the first day, reached a record high of $53 the following day, but now trades at around $9.
Sweetgreen initially impressed investors with its rapid same-store sales growth and ambitious expansion plans, but its growth eventually sputtered out. Let's see why it disappointed the market, and if it might bounce back in the future and deliver millionaire-making gains.
Image source: Getty Images.
What happened to Sweetgreen? Sweetgreen, which was founded in 2006, had already expanded from its first restaurant in Washington, D.C., to 130 locations across 13 states before its public debut. At the time, it was already serving 1.35 million customers and generating more than two-thirds of its sales from digital channels. It still owns and operates all of its stores rather than franchising them.
Sweetgreen carved out a niche in the fast-casual space with its health-conscious offerings, and its same-store sales, average unit volume (AUV, or average annual revenue per restaurant), and total revenue initially grew by double digits as it opened dozens of new stores per year.
Metric
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Total Revenue Growth
54%
38%
24%
16%
0%
New Store Openings
31
36
35
25
35
Same-Store Sales Growth
25%*
13%
4%
6%
(8%)
AUV Growth
20%*
12%
0%
0%
(8%)
Total Digital Revenue Percentage
67%
62%
59%
56%
62%
Data source: Sweetgreen. *Adjusted for temporary COVID-19 closures in 2020.
Unfortunately, that growth spurt ended over the past three years as inflation drove up its prices, more people worked remotely and ate lunch at home (instead of at their offices, which were closer to many of Sweetgreen's stores). Many consumers also thought its salads and bowls were overpriced, and that they were being nickel-and-dimed for additional toppings and customizations.
Sweetgreen then fell into the trap of opening more stores to boost revenue, but those new stores merely drove up its costs while failing to boost its AUV or same-store sales. Its turnaround efforts -- including an ill-fated attempt to automate all its stores with robots and increase portion sizes to attract more customers -- also backfired, crushing its margins. That's why the company has remained unprofitable ever since its public debut.
Today's Change
(
5.28
%) $
0.45
Current Price
$
8.97
For 2026, Sweetgreen expects that pain to continue with a 2%-4% decline in same-store sales. Analysts expect its total revenue to rise 4%, but new store openings will entirely drive that growth. Sweetgreen's stock only trades at 1.4 times this year's sales, but it deserves that discount because there aren't any catalysts on the horizon.
Sweetgreen is trying to stabilize its business by diversifying its menu and simplifying its pricing, but those efforts probably won't stop the bleeding. Therefore, I doubt its stock will revisit its all-time highs -- or deliver multibagger, millionaire-making gains -- within the next decade.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) closed at $8.86 in the latest trading session, marking a -2.32% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 1.65% gain on the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.92%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 3.07%.
Shares of the company have appreciated by 12.11% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.86%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.48%.
The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Sweetgreen, Inc. in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is predicted to post an EPS of -$0.13, indicating a 35% growth compared to the equivalent quarter last year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $193.39 million, indicating a 4.21% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $0.62 per share and revenue of $708.46 million. These totals would mark changes of +154.39% and +4.27%, respectively, from last year.
Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Sweetgreen, Inc. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.79% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Sweetgreen, Inc. presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Digging into valuation, Sweetgreen, Inc. currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 14.55. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 20.2.
We can also see that SG currently has a PEG ratio of 1.18. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Retail - Restaurants industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.84 as of yesterday's close.
The Retail - Restaurants industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 206, which puts it in the bottom 16% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE: SG), the mission-driven, next-generation restaurant and lifestyle brand that serves healthy food at scale, today announced the appointment of Ryan Slemons as Chief Development Officer, effective May 4, 2026. Slemons will report directly to Co-Founder and CEO Jonathan Neman. Slemons will lead all aspects of real estate, design, construction, facilities and portfolio management. He brings nearly two decades of experience in real estate, franch.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended March 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on May 7. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis company is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.23 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -9.5%.
Revenues are expected to be $166.02 million, down 0.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.54% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Sweetgreen?For Sweetgreen, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +6.67%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Sweetgreen will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Sweetgreen would post a loss of$0.31 per share when it actually produced a loss of -$0.42, delivering a surprise of -35.48%.
The company has not been able to beat consensus EPS estimates in any of the last four quarters.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Sweetgreen appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, Bloomin' Brands (BLMN - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.57 per share for the quarter ended March 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -3.4%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $1.04 billion, down 0.8% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Bloomin' Brands has been revised 7.1% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -2.90%.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Bloomin' Brands will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Shares of Sweetgreen (SG +6.28%) were moving higher last month, even though there was little company-specific news out on the fast-casual salad slinger.
Instead, Sweetgreen seemed to benefit from the broader risk-on mentality in the market as tensions in the Middle East cooled, and the stock might have gotten a boost from earnings reports from industry leaders like Starbucks and Chipotle.
As a result, the stock finished the month up 33%, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence.
As you can see from the chart below, Sweetgreen's movements were erratic, but it did finish the month with a solid gain.
SG data by YCharts
What happened with Sweetgreen Sweetgreen seemed to benefit from investors doing some bottom-fishing as the beaten-down stock could be a good opportunity if it can execute on its turnaround. While there wasn't anything particularly newsworthy that pushed the stock up last month, sentiment seemed to be enough, with the shares looking cheap by some metrics. Stocks soared through April as tensions cooled in the Middle East and the AI trade came back into fashion. However, Sweetgreen doesn't seem to have direct exposure to either of those factors.
There was some good news from key peers, which shows that restaurant spending may be coming back. Chipotle reported comparable sales up 0.5% in the first quarter, which was an improvement from recent quarters. Meanwhile, at Starbucks, comparable sales in North America jumped 7.1%, showing the turnaround effort under Brian Niccol has been paying off.
That could be encouraging for Sweetgreen as the salad chain tries to win back more customers.
Additionally, it hired a new Chief Development Officer, Ryan Slemons, who could help accelerate Sweetgreen's growth. Retail sales in March were also solid in the latest report, showing consumers continue to spend.
Image source: Sweetgreen.
Can Sweetgreen keep climbing? The strong report from Starbucks isn't necessarily meaningful for Sweetgreen, but it shows customers are willing to spend on restaurants.
Sweetgreen will report first-quarter earnings on May 7, and investors are expecting revenue to decline 1.6% to $163.6 million, and for its loss per share to expand from $0.13 to $0.18.
Sweetgreen introduced wraps earlier this year, and we'll get a sense of whether that's helping to drive increased visits to the restaurant. If it's another dismal report, April's gains could be easily wiped out, but it does seem like some of the macro pressure on the business is starting to lift.
Jeremy Bowman has positions in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks, and Sweetgreen. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill and Starbucks. The Motley Fool recommends Sweetgreen and recommends the following options: short June 2026 $36 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
If you bought Cava Group (CAVA +8.20%) stock somewhere near its 52-week lows late last year, you likely understood something important: The best restaurant stocks don't get rewarded for what they're doing today or for what the culture sees them as. They get rewarded for their store count growth rate and for what the market thinks their comparable-store sales could look like in five years. Already, the market has begun to reevaluate Cava -- it's up by more than 100% from its November low.
That same lens should be applied to three other restaurant chains that are trading well below where their long-term trajectories suggest they should be.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. Dutch Bros: A coffee drive-thru disrupter that's still in its early innings Dutch Bros (BROS +7.88%) trades around $57 per share -- more than 25% below its 52-week high -- even though it posted its 11th consecutive quarter of earnings beats in Q4 2025. The company opened 55 new shops in that quarter alone and plans to open 181 new locations in 2026, with 2026 revenue guidance of $2 billion to $2.03 billion and comparable sales growth of 3% to 5%. (Its Q1 results are due out May 6.)
What makes Dutch Bros unusual isn't just the (really good) coffee; it's the data infrastructure underneath it. The company's rewards program feeds a digital flywheel that uses analytics and personalized marketing to drive repeat visits. In Q3, same-store sales grew 5.7% systemwide, powered by 4.7% transaction growth. While many restaurant industry operators have been losing traffic, Dutch Bros is adding it. I'm a big fan of repeat customers on everyday purchases like coffee.
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The company is also rolling out an "order ahead" feature in 2026 and leaning into its food segment. Management's long-term ambition is to have 7,000 stores in operation, up from roughly 950 today. This is an early innings story hiding inside a mid-cap stock.
2. Cheesecake Factory: A casual dining stock that refuses to quit Among investors, the Cheesecake Factory (CAKE +6.17%) is one of the most consistently overlooked large-format casual dining operators. The stock has delivered total returns of roughly 28% over the past year. The company has generated strong multiyear returns in an environment where many sit-down dining establishments struggled. Its ability to command high average checks, sustain repeat visits, and expand internationally through its North Italia chain and an array of smaller brands it's testing through its Fox Restaurant Concepts subsidiary gives it a more diversified revenue base than the ticker name suggests.
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Beware, though: An executive at The Cheesecake Factory, Spero Alex, sold about $316,000 worth of stock last month, completely exiting his indirect holdings while retaining some restricted stock units. Insider selling -- especially a full exit -- can be a red flag.
3. Sweetgreen: Still early for most, which is the point Sweetgreen (SG +6.28%) stock is not for everyone. It's trading below $7, down roughly 85% from its 3-year high. The company is not profitable. But Sweetgreen is doing something structurally important. It is using its proprietary Infinite Kitchen, which is a robotic salad assembly system, to attack a key expense line: labor costs. Locations where it has installed the salad-making robots have demonstrated faster throughput and lower costs. The company is also planning 15 to 20 net new restaurant openings in 2026.
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With those facts in mind, RBC Capital's Logan Reich recently reiterated his buy rating on the stock. My take on Sweetgreen mirrors how I viewed Cava in the past and how I currently view Dutch Bros. The company is building a growing brand and is trying to build up a loyal base of repeat customers that should become increasingly valuable over time.
Granted, Sweetgreen is nowhere near as close in repeats as the likes of Cava, but if its robots can keep costs and overhead low, it has a clear path to more store expansion and potential upside in the stock. This stock is a buy for investors who are ready to hold it for the long term.
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SweetgreenⓇ today announced the nationwide launch of Wraps, introducing the format to its menu for the first time with bold flavor and satisfying portions. Following a successful market test across locations in New York, the Midwest, and Los Angeles, Wraps will be available at Sweetgreen restaurants nationwide beginning May 6. The launch marks Sweetgreen's biggest category expansion beyond its chef-crafted bowls, salads, and plates, introducing a more portable form.
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE: SG) (the “Company”), the mission-driven, next-generation restaurant and lifestyle brand that serves healthy food at scale, today announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2026. First quarter 2026 financial highlights For the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2025: Total revenue decreased 2.9% to $161.5 million. Same-Store Sales Change of (12.8%), versus (3.1%). Tota.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.27 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.23. This compares to a loss of $0.21 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -20.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post a loss of $0.31 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.42, delivering a surprise of -35.48%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has not been able to surpass consensus EPS estimates.
Sweetgreen, which belongs to the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, posted revenues of $161.52 million for the quarter ended March 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.71%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $166.3 million. The company has not been able to beat consensus revenue estimates over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Sweetgreen shares have added about 1.6% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 7.6%.
What's Next for Sweetgreen?While Sweetgreen has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Sweetgreen was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is -$0.13 on $193.77 million in revenues for the coming quarter and -$0.75 on $708.66 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Retail - Restaurants is currently in the bottom 26% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Aramark (ARMK - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2026. The results are expected to be released on May 12.
This provider of food, facilities and uniform services is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.47 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +38.2%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Aramark's revenues are expected to be $4.77 billion, up 11.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (SG - Free Report) reported $161.52 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year decline of 2.9%. EPS of -$0.27 for the same period compares to -$0.21 a year ago.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $166.02 million, representing a surprise of -2.71%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -20%, with the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.23.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Sweetgreen performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Same-Store Sales Change: -12.8% versus the six-analyst average estimate of -10%.Ending restaurants: 285 compared to the 283 average estimate based on six analysts.Net New Restaurant Openings: 4 compared to the 3 average estimate based on four analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for Sweetgreen here>>>
Shares of Sweetgreen have returned +22.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +11% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
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Over the last year, Sweetgreen's (SG +6.28%) results have gone from troubling to catastrophic.
The stock was riding high in late 2024 after posting strong growth, but in the last year or so, the fast casual salad chain's business has collapsed, and the stock has tumbled. It's now down 85% from its peak a year and a half ago.
The first-quarter results show how bad things have gotten for Sweetgreen. Comparable sales plunged 12.8% even as the company was lapping a quarter in which the LA wildfires hurt sales in its Southern California stores.
Overall revenue fell 2.9% to $161.5 million, which missed estimates at $163.6 million. Sweetgreen is supposed to be a growth stock, yet same-store sales are down double digits, and revenue is falling, even as it opens new stores. Average unit volume, or annual sales per store, fell from $2.91 million in the quarter a year ago to $2.57 million. Its customers are disappearing.
Sweetgreen's bottom-line numbers weren't any better. Restaurant-level profit margin fell from 17.9% to 10%, and its generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) operating loss widened from $28.5 million to $34.3 million. The company reported a net profit, but that was only because of a gain on the sale of Spyce, the business that includes the Infinite Kitchen, though Sweetgreen retained the rights to use it.
For a quarter without any major economic shock, the numbers were terrible. However, the stock actually rose 2% on the news as management indicated the business was turning a corner.
Image source: Sweetgreen.
One reason for hope Despite the weak numbers, management's guidance showed that the worst part of its retrenchment may be over. For the full year, the company expects a same-store sales decline of 2%-4%, which basically implies flat comparable sales over the remainder of the year after the 12.8% decline in the first quarter.
The headwinds from its transition away from its Sweetpass+ subscription program to SG Rewards will begin to abate in the second quarter, and management was optimistic about its wraps, which it launched nationally last week after testing them starting in February. In the first quarter, it also faced a difficult comparison with the launch of Ripple Fries last year.
The wraps come at a lower price point than its bowls, which is key as consumer spending has been pressured and Sweetgreen has faced complaints about its high prices and lack of value. Management said that wraps "drove incremental traffic from new and returning guests, helped reengage lapsed customers, and showed strong repeat behavior." It also noted that momentum improved in April, though comparable sales were still down 8%. For the second quarter, the company is targeting comps to be down about 4%.
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Can Sweetgreen turn it around? Management maintained its full-year guidance numbers from the fourth-quarter report. While the forecast decline of 2%-4% isn't anything to celebrate, the company does see adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) improving to a profit of $1 million-$6 million, up from a loss in 2025.
Still, if the company can hit that guidance, it will signal that the business is at least moving in the right direction, and that's good news for investors. At this point, if there's a silver lining with the stock, it's that it's already fallen so far that the upside potential is there if it can mount a turnaround.
We'll have to wait a few more quarters to see if the new wraps pay off, but if comparable sales return to positive territory before the end of the year, the stock could rip higher.
Sweetgreen faces macroeconomic headwinds and weak sales performance amid a tough restaurant industry landscape. Despite a ~10% YTD gain and a ~50% rebound from February lows, SG remains down ~80% from 2024 highs. SG's competitiveness is deteriorating, raising questions about the sustainability of its recent share price recovery.
Sweetgreen (SG) remains under pressure, with Q1 2026 results showing declining revenue, negative same-store sales, and worsening margins. SG's demand weakness is primarily traffic-led, with over 11% fewer customer visits and unit sales volume down 14.7% year-over-year. Operational improvements, menu innovation (wraps), and pricing changes offer a potential path to stabilization, but recovery is not yet evident.
Sweetgreen SG rose 7.80% intraday after JPMorgan JPM upgraded the stock to Overweight from Neutral and raised its price target to $13 from $8, implying a 36% upside from current levels. The call came after a positive meeting with Sweetgreen's new leadership.
The upgrade centers on Sweetgreen's brand transformation. JPMorgan sees Sweetgreen's wraps as evidence that management has moved toward products with broader consumer appeal, away from the technology-heavy approach that defined earlier strategy. The firm also sees the new strategy as a potential catalyst for free cash flow improvement.
Sweetgreen shares are down 80% from their November 2024 peak of $45, but they have been gaining momentum, up over 43% year to date. Despite the upgrade, the consensus analyst rating on Sweetgreen remains Hold, with an average price target of $7.98.
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE: SG), the mission-driven restaurant brand connecting more people to real food, today announced the appointment of Cindy Olsen as the Company's SVP, Chief Strategy Officer, a newly created role reporting to Jonathan Neman, Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Olsen will play a critical role in accelerating the Sweet Growth Transformation Plan by translating Sweetgreen's strategic priorities into long-term value creation. “Cindy is k.
Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE: SG), the mission-driven restaurant brand connecting more people to real food, today announced the appointment of Cindy Olsen as the Company’s SVP, Chief Strategy Officer, a newly created role reporting to Jonathan Neman, Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Olsen will play a critical role in accelerating the Sweet Growth Transformation Plan by translating Sweetgreen's strategic priorities into long-term value creation.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260526220528/en/
“Cindy is known for her ability to drive profitable growth through a disciplined approach to strategic decision-making,” said Jonathan Neman, Co-Founder and CEO of Sweetgreen. “She is the perfect addition to the executive team at this juncture in our transformation, with deep consumer and restaurant industry experience and a track record of bringing rigor to investment decisions.”
“I’m thrilled to join Sweetgreen and its mission of connecting people to real food. I’ve long admired the brand and see a significant opportunity to increase enterprise value,” said Cindy Olsen, SVP, Chief Strategy Officer of Sweetgreen. “I look forward to working alongside others on the leadership team to accelerate the transformation plan driving near-term execution while building long-term profitable growth.”
In this role, Cindy will oversee corporate strategy and strategic communications. Her role bridges strategy, finance, and operations, with accountability for turning strategic priorities into measurable outcomes and clear communication for both internal and external stakeholders.
Cindy joins Sweetgreen from Chipotle Mexican Grill, where she served as Head of Investor Relations and Strategy. At Chipotle, Cindy worked closely with the executive team to evolve the long-term strategy and connect it to value creation, bridging the priorities of team members, guests, and shareholders. Prior to Chipotle, Cindy served as Managing Director and Equity Research Analyst at Nuveen and at Franklin Templeton, where she spent a total of 17 years covering public and private companies across the consumer sector, giving her a unique investor’s perspective on what makes exceptional brands truly enduring.
About Sweetgreen: Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) is on a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Since 2007, the brand has reimagined what fast food can be: fresh, flavorful, and built on real relationships with growers. Sweetgreen’s supply chain spans the country while remaining rooted in partnerships with local farmers. Today, Sweetgreen serves seasonal, chef-crafted menus across more than 285 locations nationwide, creating spaces where food, people, and purpose come together.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the company’s transformation plan and the role that Ms. Olsen will play with respect thereto. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “are confident that,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “toward,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved, if at all. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management as of that time with respect to future events. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control, that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties included in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025 and subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
To learn more about Sweetgreen, its menu, and its loyalty program, visit www.Sweetgreen.com. Follow @Sweetgreen on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260526220528/en/
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE: SG) today announced that the company is scheduled to present at the following investor conference: TD Cowen 10th Annual Future of the Consumer Conference on June 2, 2026. The company will participate in a fireside chat at the conference that will begin at 8:00 am ET. A live webcast and replay of the fireside chat will be available at investor.sweetgreen.com on the Events + Presentations page. About Sweetgreen: Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) is on a m.
Shares of Sweetgreen (SG +6.28%) were moving higher today even as there was no major news out on the stock.
Instead, positive chatter on social media and investor bets that their new wraps would drive a comeback continued to push the stock higher.
As of 2:35 p.m. ET, shares were up 9.7%.
Image source: Sweetgreen.
Are wraps taking off? Sweetgreen stock is now up more than 50% since May 13, even as there's been no major news other than the national launch of four wraps, which are designed to give customers a lower-priced option as Sweetgreen seemed to be suffering from the perception of being overpriced.
One person on X said that a manager told her that wraps are making up close to half of the company's orders, a good sign that they are driving growth. The wraps seem to have generally received positive reviews online as well.
Additionally, Sweetgreen named Cindy Olsen as its Chief Strategy Officer yesterday, a new position in the company. While the market doesn't typically react to news like that, it does seem like a positive step in its turnaround.
Last week, JPMorgan Chase upgraded the stock to overweight after meeting with management, saying that its transformation was gaining momentum in part due to wraps.
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What's next for Sweetgreen We won't get an official update from Sweetgreen until its second-quarter report is due out in August. However, the company is scheduled to participate in a fireside chat at a TD Cowen conference next Tuesday, June 2 at 8:00 a.m. ET. The company made that announcement this morning, which also may have excited investors, as it has only done one other analyst conference this year.
Investors will likely want to tune in for that presentation as management should provide some color on the performance of its wraps and the overall business. Given the recent surge in the stock, it wouldn't be surprising to see shares of the fast-casual salad chain swing on the news.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Jeremy Bowman has positions in Sweetgreen. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool recommends Sweetgreen. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Shares of Sweetgreen (SG +6.28%) sank 25.1% last week, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. A restaurant chain focused on salads and healthy bowls, Sweetgreen has struggled with customer traffic in recent years. The stock was up last month, but that has proven short-lived, and it is now falling back to earth this week.
Here's why Sweetgreen stock is sinking, and whether you should consider adding it to your portfolio.
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Analyst downgrade and short-lived bump in May Before talking about Sweetgreen's fall this week, we need to dive into why the stock was rising in May in the first place. Sweetgreen released a new menu item -- wraps -- which went semi-viral in hopes of luring customers back to its stores. While the jury is still out on whether the wraps will work as a new menu item, Wall Street decided to kill the rally.
UBS downgraded Sweetgreen stock from "buy" to "neutral" this week, citing concerns around customer traffic figures and weak margins. Sweetgreen is currently posting same-store sales growth of negative 12.8% and had a $34 million operating loss last quarter.
Image source: Getty Images.
Should you buy the dip? Sweetgreen is in the midst of a turnaround strategy for the health-focused restaurant brand. Its figures look terrible at the moment, and it has failed to generate a profit since going public in 2021.
With this context, it is hard to find a reason to buy the dip on Sweetgreen. Avoid adding this stock to your portfolio.
Brett Schafer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Sweetgreen. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Sweetgreen announced the launch of its new summer seasonal menu, bringing sun-soaked flavor and peak-season ingredients to restaurants nationwide. The lineup includes Tomato Panzanella, available from June 9 through July 6, alongside the Picnic Bowl and Summer Market Bowl, both available from June 9 through August 10. The launch is part of Sweetgreen's Summer 2026 campaign, “You Wait for This,” which taps into a simple truth: people wait all year for summer.
