After a troubling year for Sweetgreen, one of the fast-casual chain’s co-founders on Wednesday announced plans to retire.
Nathanial Ru, who serves as the chain’s chief brand officer, will step down on Jan. 1, 2026, the company said. Ru, however, will remain on the board.
Ru is one of the three Georgetown University students who developed the concept initially in Washington, D.C., in 2007, along with now-CEO Jonathan Neman and Chief Concept Officer Nicolas Jammet. Their goal was to create a quick-service chain that served healthful, freshly prepared real food.
“It’s hard to put into words the emotions I feel looking back on how far we’ve come since those early days in Georgetown,” Ru said in a statement. “What started as a simple yet powerful idea—to create a place where healthy, sustainable food was accessible to all—has grown into something far beyond what I ever imagined.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have brought this dream to life alongside some of the brightest, hardest-working people I’ve ever known,” he continued. “We’ve partnered with hundreds of farmers across the United States to source some of the most delicious ingredients. We’ve collaborated with the world’s best chefs, athletes and musicians. We’ve helped underserved communities and classrooms gain access to healthy food. We’ve had the opportunity to serve over 300 million healthy meals across 280 restaurants in over 150 cities. Sweetgreen has become successful beyond my wildest dreams, and I’m forever grateful to have played a small part in a big mission.”
Despite a promising initial public offering in 2021, Sweetgreen, however, has yet to make a profit as a public company. Its stock price has fallen more than 80% this year.
Same-store sales for the Los Angeles-based chain were down 9.6% in the third quarter, including an 11.7% decline in traffic and product mix.
Like others in the fast-casual segment, Sweetgreen’s audience tends to be younger, and consumers aged 25 to 35 are facing a number of macroeconomic pressures, from unemployment and low wage growth to the weight of student loans and high housing costs.
Sweetgreen also has a significant value perception problem, with a reputation for expensive salads—a perception the company has tried to address with larger protein portions and an emphasis on nutrient and ingredient quality this year.
The chain recently has been promoting the suppliers it works with to spotlight the quality of ingredients and support for local farmers.
A bright spot for Sweetgreen has been the Infinite Kitchen models, with an automated makeline that has improved speed and accuracy, and increased restaurant-level margins. The company expected to open 18 Infinite Kitchens this year, including the first with a drive-thru.
Sweetgreen had invested in the technology company Spyce that developed the automated makeline. But earlier this year, Sweetgreen sold Spyce to the uber-food-app Wonder for $100 million, plus $86 million in Wonder stock.
Nathaniel Ru. | Photo courtesy of Sweetgreen
Ru, meanwhile, was credited with helping shape the Sweetgreen brand with his passion for food, music and social impact, the company said.
He has led the brand’s cultural and food collaborations, national campaigns, local grassroots marketing, and programs like the chain’s work in schools, and the Sweetlife music and food festival.
Ru’s responsibilities will be picked up by the recently hired Zipporah Allen, who joined the company as chief commercial officer in September.
Neman, in a statement, said Ru will be missed in day-to-day operations, but he will remain closely connected as a board member.
“Since writing our first business plan in 2006 while in college, to now over 280 locations around the country, Nate has been there every step, shaping Sweetgreen into the national brand it is today,” Neman said. “I have immense gratitude for Nate’s tireless work, support and friendship.”
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