Sweetgreen names first chief strategy officer
Sweetgreen is adding to its C-suite with a newly-created position.
The fast-casual chain has named Cindy Olsen as its first chief strategy officer, effective immediately. Reporting to CEO Jonathan Neman, Olsen will oversee corporate strategy and strategic communications, while playing a “critical role” in accelerating the Sweet Growth Transformation Plan by translating Sweetgreen's strategic priorities into long-term value creation.
Olsen joins Sweetgreen from Chipotle Mexican Grill, where she served as head of investor relations and strategy for four years. In the role, she worked with the chain’s executive team to evolve its long-term strategy.
“Cindy is known for her ability to drive profitable growth through a disciplined approach to strategic decision-making,” said Neman. “She is the perfect addition to the executive team at this juncture in our transformation, with deep consumer and restaurant industry experience and a track record of bringing rigor to investment decisions.”
Prior to Chipotle, she served as managing director and equity research analyst at Nuveen and at Franklin Templeton, where she spent a total of 17 years covering public and private companies across the consumer sector.
“I’m thrilled to join Sweetgreen and its mission of connecting people to real food. I’ve long admired the brand and see a significant opportunity to increase enterprise value,” said Olsen. “I look forward to working alongside others on the leadership team to accelerate the transformation plan driving near-term execution while building long-term profitable growth.”
Sweetgreen made another addition to its C-suite earlier this spring. Ryan Slemons was named chief development officer, effective May 4, tasked with leading all aspects of real estate, design, construction, facilities and portfolio management.
[READ MORE: Sweetgreen to open first drive-thru location featuring its automated kitchen tech]
Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen operates more than 285 locations nationwide. The chain is known for its salads and bowls that prioritize organic, regenerative and locally-sourced produce.
