Sweetgreen adds two food service veterans to executive team
Executives from two well-known fast-casual dining and fast-food chains are joining Sweetgreen.
Sweetgreen is hiring Michael Kotick as VP, head of marketing and Chad Brauze as head of culinary. Kotick comes to the fast-casual healthy food retailer from Chipotle Mexican Grill where he served as senior director of marketing. He was responsible for Chipotle’s marketing through national campaigns, brand and sustainability actions, menu and product innovation, digital marketing, loyalty program growth, and in-restaurant experience.
During his tenure, Kotick also led the marketing strategy for Chipotle’s brand growth in Canada and Western Europe. In addition, he spent eight years at Nestlé where he served in various marketing leadership positions.
In his new role, Brauze will be responsible for overseeing the Sweetgreen menu development and its innovation roadmap, and he will report to Nicolas Jammet, co-founder and chief concept officer.
He joins Sweetgreen from Burger King where he was the senior director of culinary innovation and sustainability, overseeing the core menu and limited time only food program. Prior to that, Brauze served as the director of culinary and menu development at Chipotle Mexican Grill.
"We are thrilled to have these two industry leaders join our team at such an exciting time for the company,” said Sweetgreen co-founder and CEO Jonathan Neman. “Over the past several months, we have introduced heartier menu options and launched our loyalty program, building on our industry-leading digital app. Their deep experience in menu innovation and marketing, combined with their passion for scaling businesses and pushing boundaries, will help us further our mission of connecting people to real food.”
Sweetgreen pursues growth
Kotick and Brauze are joining Sweetgreen as the company continues to expand into new markets. The retailer opened its first location in Rhode Island, at The Garden City Shopping Center in Cranston, in April. Rhode Island was the first new state Sweetgreen entered in 2023 as it continues its goal of expanding into more suburban communities. The company plans a total of 30 to 35 net new restaurant openings in fiscal 2023.
In December 2022, Sweetgreen opened its first location in Tampa, Fla., in the city’s Heights District near Tampa Riverwalk. Two additional Tampa locations, in Hyde Park Village and the Edge District, are scheduled to open this year.
Sweetgreen specializes in plant-forward, seasonal, and earth-friendly meals from fresh ingredients and produce that prioritizes organic, regenerative and local sourcing.