Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman responds to declining lunch traffic and consumer interest with bigger protein portions, recipe upgrades, and salad deals as low as $13. Same-store sales dropped up to 7.6% this summer, with a 10.1% decrease in customer traffic. Annual outlook cuts predict a 4%-6% decline for 2025.

Sweetgreen reports total revenue of $185.6 million, barely up from last year. Profit margin dropped to 18.9% from 22.5%, with a net loss of $23.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA down nearly half from last year. Changes include hiring a new COO and closing underperforming locations.

Despite challenges, Sweetgreen expands with nine new restaurants in Q2. New protein portions lead to 30% improvement in guest satisfaction. Steak protein plates show promise, accounting for nearly 20% of dinner orders. Sweetgreen aims to cater to changing consumer preferences with heartier offerings and healthier options.

Reviews remain mixed as Sweetgreen adjusts menu. Some customers criticize portion sizes, pricing, and consistency. AI was used to draft this story, with an editor verifying the information. Sweetgreen faces skepticism about the future of premium salad chains in the current dining climate.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Sweetgreen’s CEO is beefing up protein portion sizes because corporate America is demanding more from $16 sad desk salads