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Area Leader

MLW LogoMost Loved Workplace® Certified Job
92% of candidates apply because they are a Most Loved Workplace®
Encino, CA
Sweetgreen Support Center

About the Role

At Sweetgreen, a Most Loved Workplace® certified employer in the Food & Beverage space, Real food, healthier communities, better futures for all.

<p><strong>The Area Leader has the following core responsibilities</strong></p>

<ul>

<li>Developing internal succession plan and a deep bench of managers at all levels of store operations by developing head coaches and the ability to identify “raw” talent. Candidate will have a clear understanding of how to move capability and performance and a sense of urgency to do so.</li>

<li>Developing and coaching an understanding of the Sweetgreen profile and driving recruitment of high-potential internal and external talent.</li>

<li>Driving continuous performance improvement focusing on leading indicators and established key metrics.  Candidate will be balanced in their approach focusing on people, financial, and customer experience metrics equally.</li>

<li>Meeting/exceeding annual P&L objectives with a primary focus on top-line sales, productivity, and production management.</li>

<li>Driving top-line sales performance by fostering customer connections through community marketing, throughput and technology initiatives, new product launches and an in-depth merchandising mentality.</li>

<li>Training, coaching, and inspiring all locations to deliver exceptional customer experiences and high quality culinary operations ensuring a commitment to Sweetgreen’s operational policies and procedures.</li>

<li>Leading head coach development both personally and professionally through goal setting, coaching and feedback, and an innate understanding of what makes people tick, always connecting development to improved performance.</li>

<li>Developing strong cross-functional partnerships that ensure the right support is provided to the stores to improve performance and remove barriers to focusing on the customer, people, and results.</li>

<li>Fostering a positive, team-oriented environment with a healthy competitive spirit that ensures the sharing of best practices and a commitment to goal achievement.</li>

<li>Fostering and growing strong community connections within each restaurant neighborhood by leading head coaches to develop brand ambassadors and maximizing Sweetgreen community-based programs.</li>

</ul>

<p><strong><br>About You (minimum requirements)</strong></p>

<ul>

<li>5+ years of prior restaurant experience with 3+ years of multi-unit management.</li>

<li>Proven experience balancing focus on new store openings and existing business performance: can manage multiple projects, delegates freely with quality follow and drive new store support and project management.</li>

<li>Strong communication skills that engage people in a genuine, authentic way.  Proactively connects to the team to drive behavior and results.</li>

<li>Highly organized, able to multi-task, and easily adapts and respond to change.</li>

<li>2+ years of experience in both front of house and back of house/kitchen operation management.</li>

<li>Disciplined approach to priority setting with the ability to identify the root cause of store operations and people opportunities, and move quickly to improve performance.</li>

<li>Demonstrated management of applicable restaurant regulatory areas, including: employee safety; HAACP; wage + hour; immigration; food safety.</li>

<li>Proficient computer skills in the Microsoft Office suite.</li>

<li>Personal characteristics reflective of Sweetgreen: high-energy, action oriented, self-motivated, positive and humble attitude, service-focused, flexible, fun-loving personality, and ethical with a high degree of integrity.</li>

<li>Belief in and passion for the sweetlife and Sweetgreen’s core values.</li>

</ul>

<p> </p>

<p><strong>About our sweetlife:</strong></p>

<ul>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Competitive base salary + 20% bonus potential</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stock options</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Medical, dental + vision insurance plans to suit your and your family's needs</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Flexible PTO plan</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">401k program</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paid family leave; we believe in fully supporting new parents</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Complimentary greens</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Free Sweetgreen swag</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">An opportunity to make a real impact on the people around you, both by growing them and by connecting them to real food</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A collaborative team of people who live our core values and have your back</span></li>

<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A clear career path with opportunities for development, both personally and professionally<br><br></span></li>

</ul>

<p><strong>About Us:<br><br></strong>Sweetgreen is a national restaurant brand dedicated to building healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Since 2007, Sweetgreen has reimagined fast food to be fresh, flavorful, and rooted in relationships with farmers and communities. As we grow, we are committed to developing our people in our restaurants and at our support center, so that everyone can be part of the movement. When you join Sweetgreen, you not only invest in your own future but help create spaces where food, people, and purpose come together</p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description">Salary range for this role:</div><div class="title">Starting salary range based on experience</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$100,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$125,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><div> </div>

<div> </div>

<div>Sweetgreen provides equal opportunities for all employees and applicants, without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, any service in the uniformed services of the United States, or any other consideration protected by federal, state, or local law.</div>

<div> </div>

<div><em>California residents: Review our applicant privacy notice <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14IrmjTwzN2BIuNkteB5EqJFSDDgPqJNL/view" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</em></div>

<div> </div>

<div><em>Sweetgreen participates in the federal government's <span class="il">E</span>-<span class="il">Verify</span> program to determine employment eligibility. To learn more about the <span class="il">E</span>-<span class="il">Verify</span> program, please <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify&source=gmail&ust=1534616236466000&usg=AFQjCNE9I9BantyLEoMrQVPMH42ka99e9w">click here</a>.</em></div></div>

Want to learn more about what it's like to work at Sweetgreen? View our full profile.

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Why This Is a Most Loved Workplace® Certified Job

What It's Like to Work Here

leaf Farm-to-Table Connection
users Collaborative Mission-Driven Work
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Certified for: Most Loved Workplace Most Loved Workplaces® 2026, Most Loved Workplace Most Loved Workplaces® 2025, Most Loved Workplace Most Loved Workplaces® 2021

Frequently Asked Questions About Working at Sweetgreen

Common questions candidates ask about this role and Sweetgreen's workplace

Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) is on a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food. Sweetgreen sources the best quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers they trust to cook food from scratch that is both delicious and nourishing. They plant roots in each community by building a transparent supply chain, investing in local farmers and growers, and enhancing the total experience with innovative technology. Since opening its first 560-square-foot location in 2007, Sweetgreen has scaled to over 240 locations across the United States, and its vision is to lead the next generation of restaurants and lifestyle brands built on quality, community, and innovation.

Please review the specific job listing or contact Sweetgreen's recruiting team for details on remote or hybrid work options for this role.

Salary information may vary by role and location. Please check the specific job listing or discuss compensation during the interview process.

Sweetgreen is an established organization in its industry. The company is a certified Most Loved Workplace®, highlighting a strong, positive culture and committed workforce.

Key benefit categories include: Financial & Retirement, Health & Wellness, Time Off & Family, Community & Purpose, Workplace Culture. You can view more details on their CertCheck profile.

The day-to-day environment is guided by core values such as Farm-to-Table Connection and Collaborative Mission-Driven Work and Genuine Care for People.

The company has committed to inclusive practices including: Nourishing Our People and Transparency & Trust.

They have earned Most Loved Workplace® certifications including: Most Loved Workplace Most Loved Workplaces® 2026 and Most Loved Workplace Most Loved Workplaces® 2025.

Sweetgreen currently has 61 open positions. They are hiring across departments like Sweetgreen Support Center, Galleria Edina, Greenbrae. You can view all current openings at certcheck.mostlovedworkplace.com/companies/sweetgreen/jobs.

The interview process typically involves an initial recruiter screen followed by team interviews. Please contact Sweetgreen's recruiting team for specific details on this role's process.

Apply for Area Leader

Submit your application directly to the Sweetgreen team. Let them know why you'd be a great addition to their loved place to work.

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