Chief Operating Officer Role, Jason Cochran Joins Sweetgreen as New COO
Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE: SG), the mission-driven restaurant company known for serving fresh, healthy, and sustainable food, has announced the appointment of Jason Cochran as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective May 5. In this critical leadership role, Cochran will oversee the company’s Field Operations, as well as lead its Operations Services and Innovation functions. He will report directly to Sweetgreen’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Neman.
This appointment comes at a significant juncture for Sweetgreen, which has been focused on accelerating growth, scaling its presence in new markets, and reinforcing its operational capabilities. Cochran’s hiring reflects the company’s broader strategy to strengthen leadership as it seeks to deliver a consistently excellent experience to customers while maintaining the integrity of its brand and mission.
Bringing a Seasoned Operator to the Sweetgreen Table
Jason Cochran enters his role at Sweetgreen with over two decades of experience in executive leadership across the restaurant and consumer retail industries. His extensive background in scaling operations, driving innovation, and fostering high-performing teams makes him a valuable addition to Sweetgreen’s executive team. Throughout his career, Cochran has demonstrated a strong ability to lead large, complex organizations while implementing transformational change.
Cochran most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and board member of American West Restaurant Group, the third-largest Pizza Hut franchisee in the United States. In that capacity, he led strategic initiatives that enhanced the customer experience and drove meaningful operational improvements across hundreds of restaurant locations. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant growth through a combination of operational discipline, team development, and an unwavering focus on excellence.
Prior to his time at American West Restaurant Group, Cochran played a key role at Chipotle Mexican Grill, where he served as Vice President of Operations Services. In this capacity, he was responsible for supporting more than 3,000 restaurants and overseeing operations contributing to $8.6 billion in annual revenue. His portfolio of responsibilities included menu innovation, process improvement, equipment modernization, new store development, and field training programs. He also led cross-functional initiatives to drive consistency and operational efficiency throughout the organization.
Earlier in his career, Cochran spent 14 years at GameStop, where he rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President of U.S. Stores. In that role, he managed operations for approximately 4,400 retail locations across the country, contributing to more than $7.5 billion in annual sales. His ability to manage expansive teams and deliver strong financial and operational results earned him a reputation as a capable and forward-thinking leader.
A Strategic Addition to Sweetgreen’s Executive Team
Jonathan Neman, Co-Founder and CEO of Sweetgreen, expressed strong confidence in Cochran’s ability to guide the company into its next phase of evolution.
“Jason is a trusted and visionary leader with hands-on operational experience at growth-oriented brands,” said Neman. “His strategic mindset, operational discipline, and ability to inspire teams make him uniquely positioned to help lead Sweetgreen into its next chapter of growth. Jason’s alignment with our mission and cultural fit is clear, and I’m incredibly excited to welcome him to the team as we continue scaling our impact across more communities.”
Neman also emphasized the importance of cultural alignment in leadership. Sweetgreen, founded in 2007, has long been committed to fostering a culture of sustainability, wellness, and transparency in the food industry. Cochran’s proven leadership in values-driven companies complements this ethos, and his appointment signals a continuation of Sweetgreen’s people-first philosophy.
Cochran Excited to Join Mission-Driven Brand
In his first public statement since the announcement, Jason Cochran shared his enthusiasm about taking on this new leadership role and his admiration for the Sweetgreen brand.
“I’m thrilled to join Sweetgreen at such a pivotal moment,” said Cochran. “I’ve long admired the brand’s mission, focus on real food, and commitment to operational excellence. I look forward to working alongside this talented team to scale the business, strengthen the culture, and deliver continued value for our customers, team members, and shareholders.”
Cochran’s comments reinforce the importance of Sweetgreen’s core values: sustainability, community, and real food made from scratch. With his leadership, the company is expected to enhance its capabilities across store operations, improve customer experience, and accelerate new market penetration while maintaining its uncompromising standards for ingredient sourcing and food quality.
Sweetgreen’s Growth Vision for the Future
As Sweetgreen continues to expand its footprint, Cochran’s experience in building scalable operational infrastructures will be key. The brand has been making investments in technology, automation, and kitchen innovation to improve efficiency and meet growing demand. Most recently, Sweetgreen unveiled its Infinite Kitchen concept—an automated makeline designed to improve consistency and reduce wait times, marking a strategic move to modernize fast-casual dining.
Cochran is expected to play a leading role in optimizing and expanding such innovations across Sweetgreen’s restaurant network. His history of guiding organizations through tech-driven change will likely prove critical as Sweetgreen seeks to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Additionally, Cochran’s extensive knowledge of franchise and company-owned business models may offer valuable insights as Sweetgreen explores new formats and strategies for growth. His deep understanding of customer behavior, field execution, and operational excellence across different sectors will allow Sweetgreen to maintain its high standards as it scales.
