Sweetgreen continues expansion; debuts order-ahead, drive-up format

Sweetgreen has unveiled another new format.

The healthy eating chain has opened its first “sweetlane” format, in Schaumburg, Ill. The new format is designed to provide an effortless experience for customers in vehicles to pick up online orders through a drive-up window. Dine-in and pickup inside the restaurant is also available.

To order via “sweetlane,” customers place their order through the Sweetgreen website or app, and choose “sweetlane” as their desired pickup method under “Select a Pickup Location.” When their order is ready, customers can drive through the “sweetlane” to pick up their meal. As they wait, they can see employees preparing orders through a round observation window—bringing the in-store experience to every touchpoint in the format.

The freestanding building features unique design elements on all sides, including a continuous green “dip” around the building, a large-scale mural by local Chicago artist Cody Hudson and architectural awning details.

The new location comes on the heels of Sweetgreen’s recent Midwest expansion as it looks to expand into more suburban communities and also meet the need for convenient, healthier options at scale, the company said. (According to internal research findings, 52% of existing suburban customers find it challenging to locate fresh, quality food to order on-the-go.) It also follows the opening of Sweetgreen’s first digital-only location, in Washington, D.C.’s Mt. Vernon Square neighborhood.

“Innovation is in the Sweetgreen DNA, and meeting customers where they are is the key to our brand mission; connecting people to real food,” said Jonathan Neman, CEO and co-founder of Sweetgreen. “We hope this new experience provides ease and accessibility for the community craving deliciously fresh and healthy plant-forward food.”

For every meal sold on opening day, Sweetgreen is donating a meal to The Schaumburg Township Food Pantry to nourish people experiencing food insecurity.