Ryan Slemons brings aggressive expansion experience to Sweetgreen as the chain names him chief development officer. Slemons came from Unleashed Brands, where he led growth for multiple concepts. His hire signals Sweetgreen's push toward 1,000 domestic locations.
The fast-casual salad and grain bowl chain built its reputation on fresh ingredients and customizable bowls. Now it's betting on Slemons' operational playbook to accelerate unit growth. His track record at Unleashed Brands, which operates chains like Wingstop and Muscle Maker Grill, shows he knows how to scale restaurant networks efficiently.
Sweetgreen has grown steadily since its 2007 founding but faces competition from other health-focused fast-casual players. The 1,000-restaurant goal represents an ambitious jump from current numbers. Slemons will oversee real estate strategy, site selection, and restaurant development to hit that target.
His appointment comes as fast-casual chains hunt for experienced operators who understand unit economics and expansion logistics. Slemons joins a leadership team tasked with proving Sweetgreen can grow profitably beyond its coastal strongholds. The company operates primarily in major metros where real estate costs run high. Expanding into secondary markets while maintaining quality standards will test his ability to adapt the model.