Technology and the Human Experience- Building Intimacy at Scale
Many think that the more high tech something is, the more impersonal. sweetgreen has bucked this philosophy, finding a way to use technology to enhance the customer experience, not replace it. They’re building intimacy into the process as they scale their technology, establishing themselves not just as a chain restaurant, but as a brand with a mission. Even as they have grown wildly successful, they have not lost their personal touch with customers. They are committed to consistently innovating the brand while maintaining its foundation and personal experience its customers have come to expect.
Making an Impact
sweetgreen is on a mission to leave communities better than they found them. As the company has grown, they have also invested in “impact projects” around the country that provide food access and education to underserved communities. From education about healthy eating in schools to mobile farmers markets and continuing education for its employees, sweetgreen walks the talk.
Power of Partnership
It’s rare that 3 founders of a company are still together and sit in the same office 10 years later. Jonathan, Nicolas and NATHANIEL RU met in college and have grown their business around the fundamental principles of team work, humility and shared values - the same principles of how their own relationship works. Theirs is a perfect example of how these things translate into successful business as well.
Nathaniel Ru is Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer of sweetgreen, a company with a mission to connect people to the future of real food. Nathaniel and his co-founders launched sweetgreen in 2007, opening their first location in Washington, D.C., just three months out of college. Together, they are dedicated to creating intimacy at scale with a focus on a transparent supply chain, a foundation of technology and investment in local communities. Today sweetgreen has grown to over 90 locations with over 4000 team members nationally.
Nathaniel has been recognized as a key innovator in food and business, named to Forbes “Next 50 CMO’s,” Ad Age ’s “40 under 40,” Fast Company ’s “Most Creative People in Business”, and Forbes ’ “30 Under 30”.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Nathaniel graduated from Georgetown University, where he met fellow sweetgreen co-founders, Nicolas Jammet and Jonathan Neman.
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