Sweetgreen Sales Fall 6.4% as Traffic Slides
The salad chain's third-quarter same-store sales declined as guest visits dropped and net new restaurant openings slowed.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Dining Out
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Sweetgreen reported a 6.4% same-store sales decline in the third quarter ended Sept. 27, narrower than the 9.5% drop a year earlier. Total revenue rose 2.1% to $176 million, while the company posted a net loss of $30.7 million.
Why it matters
Traffic fell 4.9% and the product mix declined 2.1%, with the company attributing part of the mix shift to guests choosing wraps and a cyclosporiasis outbreak cutting into visits. Restaurant-level profit margin fell to 10.4% from 13.1%, reflecting lower sales and higher labor costs.
Same-store sales fell 6.4% in the third quarter, improving on the 9.5% decline a year earlier, while traffic dropped 4.9% and menu price increases added 0.6%. Digital sales reached 66.1% of revenue, up from 61.8%, though the company's full-year same-store sales decline is projected at about 5.5%.
The players
Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen is a Los Angeles-based fast-casual salad chain known for its digital ordering and bowl-style menu.
The details
Sweetgreen opened three net new restaurants in the quarter, down from six a year earlier. Comparable sales turned positive in October, the company said when it reported results on November 5.
Timeline
Sept. 27, 2026: Third quarter ended with a 6.4% same-store sales decline.
October 2026: Comparable sales turned positive.
November 5, 2026: Sweetgreen reported third-quarter results.
Industry Dynamics
Sweetgreen's rise in digital share from 61.8% to 66.1% reflects a continued move toward app and online ordering even as overall guest traffic fell 4.9%. The pattern suggests the chain is leaning on digital channels to offset weaker in-person visits.
Guests who order through the app or website may find digital channels increasingly central to how they reach the chain, as digital sales now account for 66.1% of revenue. Customers in-store will notice fewer new locations opening, with only three net new restaurants in the quarter.
The takeaway
Price increases and digital ordering are cushioning Sweetgreen's revenue even as fewer guests walk through the door. Diners who rely on the app may see the most consistent experience as the chain leans into digital channels.
What happens next
Sweetgreen expects about 10 net new openings in 2026, roughly half featuring its Infinite Kitchen, and about half as many openings in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more dining out coverage for context on how fast-casual chains are adapting to changing guest habits.
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