What Sweetgreen Is and How to Order

Sweetgreen is a fast-casual restaurant chain that builds salads, grain bowls, and warm plates to order. You choose your base (lettuce, grains, or greens), then add proteins, vegetables, and dressing from a set menu. You can order in person at a Sweetgreen location, through their mobile app, or on their website for pickup or delivery.

The ordering process is straightforward: you select a dish from their current menu, customize it by swapping or removing ingredients, choose your protein if the dish offers options, and pick your dressing. Sweetgreen locations are in major U.S. cities and some suburban areas, so availability depends on where you live. You can check their website or app to see if there is a location near you and what their hours are.

Most orders are ready within 5 to 10 minutes if you order ahead through the app or website. In-person orders may take slightly longer during peak lunch or dinner hours. Delivery times vary by location and depend on your distance from the restaurant, but typically range from 20 to 45 minutes through third-party services like DoorDash or Uber Eats.

Key Takeaways

  • Sweetgreen locations exist in major cities across the United States, so you should check their app or website to see if one is near you before ordering.
  • You can order through the Sweetgreen app, their website, or in person, and most orders are ready for pickup in 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Prices vary by location and menu item, but salads and bowls typically cost between $12 and $16 before tax and any add-ons.
  • Sweetgreen publishes ingredient lists and allergen information on their website and app so you can see what is in each dish before you order.
  • You can customize almost any dish by swapping vegetables, proteins, or dressings, or by removing ingredients you do not want.

How Pricing Works at Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen prices vary by location because rent, labor, and ingredient costs differ across cities. A salad or grain bowl typically costs between $12 and $16 before tax. Sides like bread, cookies, or drinks add $2 to $6 each. If you add an extra protein or premium ingredient, that usually costs $2 to $4 more.

Sweetgreen offers a loyalty program through their app called Sweetgreen Rewards. You earn points on every purchase, and points can be redeemed for free items or discounts. The program is free to join, and you can sign up in the app when you place your first order.

Delivery through third-party apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats adds a delivery fee (usually $2 to $5), a service fee (typically 15% to 20% of your order), and sometimes a small order fee. Ordering directly through Sweetgreen's app or website for pickup avoids these extra charges.

What Ingredients and Allergens Are in Each Dish

Sweetgreen publishes a full ingredient list and allergen guide on their website and in their mobile app. Before you order, you can see exactly what is in each salad, bowl, or warm plate, including the dressing. This information is updated regularly and includes details about common allergens like nuts, dairy, gluten, and soy.

If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, you can read the ingredient list before ordering and customize your dish to remove or swap ingredients. For example, if a salad contains nuts and you have a nut allergy, you can remove that ingredient. If a dressing contains dairy and you are vegan, you can choose a different dressing or ask for none.

Sweetgreen also notes which dishes are vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free on their menu. However, cross-contamination can happen in any kitchen, so if you have a severe allergy, you should contact the specific location directly to ask about their food preparation practices.

How to Use the Sweetgreen App and Website

The Sweetgreen app and website let you browse the menu, customize dishes, and pay before you arrive. When you open the app or website, you enter your location or zip code to see nearby restaurants and their hours. You then select a location, browse the current menu, and click on a dish to see its full ingredient list and customization options.

To customize a dish, you click on each component (base, protein, vegetables, dressing) and swap or remove items. The app shows you the price change if you add a premium ingredient or extra protein. Once you are happy with your order, you add it to your cart, review the total, and pay with a credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay or Google Pay.

You then choose a pickup time (usually within the next hour) or select delivery if it is available in your area. The app sends you a notification when your order is ready for pickup, or it shows you the delivery driver's location if you ordered delivery. You can also save favorite orders so you can reorder them quickly next time.

Pickup Versus Delivery and Wait Times

Pickup is faster and cheaper than delivery. If you order through the Sweetgreen app or website for pickup, your order is usually ready in 5 to 10 minutes. You walk into the restaurant, give your name or show your order confirmation on your phone, and pick up your food. There are no delivery fees or service charges.

Delivery through Sweetgreen's app or through third-party services like DoorDash or Uber Eats takes longer and costs more. Delivery times typically range from 20 to 45 minutes depending on how far you are from the restaurant and how busy the service is. You pay a delivery fee, a service fee (usually 15% to 20% of your order total), and sometimes a small order fee.

During peak hours (lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.), both pickup and delivery can take longer. If you order in person at the counter during these times, you may wait 10 to 15 minutes. Ordering ahead through the app during peak hours is the fastest way to get your food.

Customizing Your Order and Dietary Preferences

Sweetgreen lets you customize almost every dish. You can swap your base (for example, choose kale instead of mixed greens, or add grains), change your protein, add or remove vegetables, and choose a different dressing. You can also ask for dressing on the side, remove croutons or nuts, or add extra of any vegetable.

If you follow a specific diet, you can build a dish that fits. For vegan orders, you can choose a vegetable-based protein like chickpeas or tofu and pick a vegan dressing. For low-carb orders, you can skip the grains and load up on vegetables and protein. For gluten-free orders, you can avoid croutons and ask about dressing ingredients, since some dressings contain gluten.

The app shows you the price of each customization before you pay, so you know exactly what your final order will cost. If you are unsure whether a customization is possible or how it will affect the price, you can call the restaurant directly or ask when you pick up your order.

What to Know About Sweetgreen Locations and Hours

Sweetgreen has restaurants in major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, and others. They also have locations in some suburban areas near these cities. However, they do not have locations everywhere, so you should check their website or app to see if there is a Sweetgreen near you before you plan to order.

Hours vary by location. Most Sweetgreen restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, typically from 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. Some locations have different hours on weekends. You can see the exact hours for your nearest location in the app or on their website.

Sweetgreen sometimes closes locations or opens new ones, so if you have a favorite restaurant, it is worth checking the app occasionally to confirm it is still open. You can also sign up for notifications in the app to hear about new locations opening near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the nutrition information for each dish?

Yes. Sweetgreen publishes nutrition facts for every salad, bowl, and warm plate on their website and app. You can see calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and sodium before you order. If you customize a dish, the nutrition information updates to reflect your changes.

What payment methods does Sweetgreen accept?

Sweetgreen accepts credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay both in person and through their app and website. They do not accept cash at most locations, but you should check with your local restaurant to be sure.

Can I order Sweetgreen through food delivery apps?

Yes. Sweetgreen is available on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and other third-party delivery services in most cities where they operate. Ordering through these apps costs more because of delivery fees and service charges, but it is an option if you prefer not to use the Sweetgreen app.

What should I do if I have a severe food allergy?

Read the ingredient list on the app or website before ordering, and customize your dish to remove the allergen. For severe allergies, call the restaurant directly to ask about their food preparation practices and cross-contamination risks. Staff can tell you whether they can safely prepare your order.

Can I return or exchange my order if something is wrong?

Yes. If your order is incorrect or you are not happy with it, contact the restaurant or use the Sweetgreen app to report the issue. Most locations will remake your order or offer a refund. Keep your receipt or order confirmation to show when you contact them.