Sweetgreen is discontinuing Ripple Fries just five months after their debut, citing operational complexity and soft demand.
The salad chain posted a 7–8% drop in same-store sales, followed by a dramatic 23% plunge in its stock price—its biggest one-day fall yet.
To counteract these challenges, Sweetgreen is boosting portions of chicken and tofu by 25%, enhancing their chicken and salmon recipes, and offering $13 member-exclusive salads as value options.
The company is also cutting approximately 10% of its California support staff as part of broader cost-saving and efficiency efforts.
Why It Matters To The Company
Simplifying operations: Removing Ripple Fries helps reduce kitchen complexity, allowing teams to better focus on streamlined service amid tough financial results.
Financial pressure: The chain reported a net loss of over $23 million in Q2, up from $14.5 million last year, underscoring the urgency of the changes.
Future strategy: With investments now shifted to staples—salads, proteins, value offerings, and streamlined staffing—Sweetgreen aims to reclaim customer confidence and stabilize its outlook.
