Restaurant General Manager

Sweetgreen is a national restaurant brand dedicated to building healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen has redefined the fast-food industry by focusing on fresh, flavorful meals made from locally sourced, organic, and sustainable ingredients. The brand operates fast-casual restaurants that emphasize transparency, quality, and community relationships, particularly with farmers and local suppliers. Sweetgreen is committed not only to offering nutritious options but also to fostering an inclusive culture both within its teams and in the communities it serves. This commitment extends to its employment practices, ensuring equal opportunities regardless of gender, race, age, or other protected categories. As Sweetgreen continues to grow, it invests in developing its people at all levels—from restaurant teams to corporate support—promoting career advancement and personal growth.

As a Head Coach (General Manager) at Sweetgreen, you play a pivotal leadership role that goes beyond typical restaurant management. You are responsible for inspiring and leading your team, balancing people, operational, and business performance to deliver an exceptional guest experience. This role requires a strategic leader who can cultivate an inclusive culture, optimize store operations using technology and data, and consistently uphold high standards of food quality, safety, and cleanliness in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Your impact extends to building healthier communities through real food by driving operational excellence and employing data-driven insights.

In this leadership position, you oversee the full employee lifecycle, fostering trust, transparency, and inclusion while coaching and growing a diverse talent pipeline. Maintaining rigorous food safety measures, managing equipment, and resolving any quality or facility issues will be key operational tasks under your purview. You will also be instrumental in enhancing customer experience by ensuring a clean, hospitable environment that aligns with Sweetgreen's brand values. Using financial acumen, you will analyze sales reports, manage costs, and create strategic schedules to meet business goals profitably.

The Head Coach role demands proficiency with various digital tools to support operations, reporting, and communication, ensuring smooth daily business functions. Additionally, you will fulfill responsibilities outlined in the Assistant Coach career path, which includes the roles of Shift Leader, Kitchen Lead, and Team Member. This comprehensive leadership pathway equips you with a broad skill set, enabling you to mentor your team effectively and adapt quickly to the dynamic restaurant environment.

Sweetgreen values candidates with experience in high-volume, fast-paced restaurants, especially those familiar with local, organic, and sustainable food products. Certifications such as ServSafe Manager or Regional Manager Food Safety are highly desirable. The ideal candidate is tech-savvy, has strong financial management skills including budgeting and P&L oversight, and demonstrated success in hiring, coaching, and developing teams. Adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to operational excellence and hospitality are essential qualities to thrive in this role. Experience in fast-casual or retail operations further strengthens your candidacy.

The compensation package includes a competitive base salary plus 20% bonus potential, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, paid vacation and wellness time, a 401(k) program, paid family leave, complimentary greens and branded swag, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact on your team, community, and business. Sweetgreen offers a collaborative, value-driven work environment with clear career paths for both personal and professional development. Joining Sweetgreen means becoming part of a movement that connects food, people, and purpose to build healthier futures together.