Culinary Lead

Sweetgreen is a leading national restaurant brand devoted to promoting healthier communities by connecting people with real, fresh food. Established in 2007, Sweetgreen revolutionized fast food by prioritizing fresh ingredients, deep relationships with farmers, and community engagement. With a commitment to sustainable practices and authentic food experiences, Sweetgreen is much more than a fast-casual dining option — it is a movement dedicated to nourishment, wellness, and cultural connection. The company fosters growth opportunities for its team members across various restaurant locations and support centers, promoting personal and professional development. Equal opportunity employment is a key part of Sweetgreen's values, ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace free from discrimination of any kind. Sweetgreen actively participates in the federal government’s E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility, further emphasizing their commitment to lawful and ethical hiring practices.

The Culinary Lead role, also known as Kitchen Lead at Sweetgreen, is a critical position focused on food quality and kitchen execution. Unlike a traditional people manager, this role centers on owning the standards for food preparation, cooking, and presentation every shift without the responsibility of scheduling or performance reviews. The Culinary Lead is recognized as the food quality expert in the kitchen and leads by example through excellent craftsmanship, continuous coaching, and consistent execution of Sweetgreen’s high standards. The kitchen environment is modern, featuring smart systems supporting food preparation without traditional grills or fryers. This position is ideal for individuals passionate about food quality and hygiene, adept at managing prep and cook workflows in fast-paced, high-volume kitchen settings such as fast casual, QSR, or corporate dining.

This position offers full- or part-time employment options with competitive wages and potential tips depending on location. The Culinary Lead role also serves as a significant career advancement opportunity, providing a clear path to become a General Manager within 2-3 years for high performers. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance options for eligible team members, paid vacation, wellness time, parental leave, free meals during shifts, a 401(k) plan, and a team member merchandise shop enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction. This role demands strong attention to detail, physical stamina to work on feet and handle food safely, and a deep commitment to food safety and cleanliness standards. The Culinary Lead acts as the advocate for food quality during shifts and partners with shift leaders and managers to uphold operational excellence, ensuring every customer enjoys food that meets Sweetgreen’s high standards for flavor, safety, and presentation.