Promising a faster and more convenient experience, Sweetgreen’s long-awaited, fully automated Infinite Kitchen restaurant made its debut last week in Naperville, Ill.
The automated makeline is an adaptation of the Spyce technology the company acquired in 2021. Over the past year and a half, Sweetgreen has been working to design what it describes as a “frictionless experience,” in which bowls are moved down a conveyor belt with guest selections being added along the way. The company said the automated system is faster, uses more exact portions and is more accurate.
Yet the process is not entirely human free.
At the unit, guests are greeted by a host—a newly created position— who helps guide them through the process. Diners can order using self-service kiosks or ahead of time via the chain's app, but they can also order in the restaurant through the host. Once the bowl is created, a human at the end of the process adds final touches, like a sprinkle of herbs or scoop of avocado.
The Naperville restaurant also will feature a Tasting Counter, where guests can sample certain dishes before making their selection.
Digital screens in the restaurant will offer “brand storytelling,” and merch is also available that is specific to the Infinite Kitchen location.
Company officials declined to answer questions about the number of team members needed at the Infinite Kitchen, compared with traditional units. In November, the company said the technology is expected to cut labor costs in half while boosting throughput.
Jonathan Neman, the brand's CEO and co-founder, said in a statement, “We believe that automation will enable us to elevate the quality and integrity of our food, while also providing a faster and more convenient experience for our customers, and a better, more dynamic job for our team members. With the integration of our Sweetgreen Infinite Kitchen in our restaurants, we can unlock efficiencies that will enable us to grow more quickly as we scale.”
A second Infinite Kitchen location is scheduled to open later this year. An existing unit will be converted to the automated technology, but the company has not yet said where it will be.
If the two units are as successful as anticipated, the company plans to start rolling out the technology as soon as next year.