Sweetgreen (A): Leading the Food Evolution

Published 08 Jul 2021
Reference 6624
Topic Strategy
Industry Restaurants
Region North America
Length 21 page(s)
Language English
Summary

SweetGreen case follows the early funding and growth of a healthy food restaurant chain. It highlights three critical decision points for the start-up: moving from idea to implementation, the business model, and how to grow. The case explores the strategic options the founders considered and the process of experimentation they used. It emphasizes the importance of purpose (mission) and passion (people) in the formulation and execution of strategy. Cases (B) and (C) explore two additional turning points : the pivot to become a digital platform company, and the crisis management strategy during the COVID pandemic.

Teaching objectives

1. Explore different strategic options for growth 2. How to create and capture value through innovation in a highly contested market 3. The lean start-up approach to innovate in business and operating model 4. The role of purpose (mission) in strategy 5. The importance of value and culture in strategy execution 6. The role of digitalisaiton and digital disruption in company strategy 7. Ways to build resilience in a crisis

Keywords
  • Digital platform
  • Digital Community
  • Food revolution
  • Purpose
  • Purpose driven
  • Passion
  • People
  • Mission
  • Vision
  • Health/Healthy
  • Healthy eating
  • Healthy diet
  • Fast Casual
  • Casual
  • Life style
  • (Digital) Community
  • Culture
  • Value
  • sweetgreen
  • Salad
  • Salad bowl
  • Restaurant
  • Dining
  • Menu
  • Q32021