Robotic kitchens, restaurant tech, and fast-casual's future with Sweetgreen's Jonathan Neman | E1910

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

Wistia. All-in-one video platform for business, with tools that help you create, manage, and measure the impact of your videos. Try Wistia for free at http://www.wistia.com/startups

CLA. Innovation takes balance. CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors can help you get from startup to where you want to end up. Get started now at http://www.CLAconnect.com/tech

Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://www.Lemon.io/twist

*

Todays show:

Jason is joined by sweetgreens’ Jonathan Neman to discuss: the x-factor that makes a strong manager (7:36).

deciding between the franchise model vs owned and operated (16:02), robotics in the restaurant industry (24:23), and more!

*

Timestamps:

(0:00) Jonathan joins Jason.

(2:30) The scale and innovation of sweetgreen today

(7:36) The x-factor that makes a strong manager

(10:05) Wistia -  Try Wistia for free at http://www.wistia.com/startups

(12:31) The “Sweetlife” and the importance of “polishing forks”

(16:02) Navigating the decision between the franchise model vs owned and operated

(18:30) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech

(24:23) Robotics in the restaurant industry

(29:28) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(30:33) The details and benefits of the machines Sweetgreen has brought into its restaurants.

(37:15) Restaurant difficulties with inflation, COVID and “sticker shock”

(38:46) Delivery in the business today pre and post-pandemic

(45:10) How Australia fits into the origin of sweetgreen

(48:01) The best way to build a brand

(52:28) The seed oil conversation

(45:53) sweetgreen is positioned towards tailored menus.

(1:01:12) The challenging topic of food options and availability across different socioeconomic groups.

(1:05:58) The definition of healthy food

*

LINKS:

Check out sweetgreen: https://www.sweetgreen.com/

Watch The Founder (2-16): https://www.amazon.com/Founder-Michael-Keaton/dp/B01MY7FSMF

Watch our Business Breakdown of the film The Founder: https://youtu.be/kYqzEEFU_nw

Watch The Bear: https://tv.apple.com/ca/show/the-bear/umc.cmc.javg04xbn3eonbgfvnaqmodk

Check out Unreasonable Hospitality: https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/

Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

*

Follow Jonathan:

X: https://twitter.com/JonnyNemo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-neman-9a28aa8/

*

Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

*

Thank you to our partners:

(10:05) Wistia -  Try Wistia for free at http://www.wistia.com/startups

(18:30) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://claconnect.com/tech

(29:28) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

*

Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

*

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

*

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

*

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast