Sweetgreen, Inc. 10-K

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current plans, expectations and beliefs that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and in other parts of this report. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or “Sweetgreen” refer to Sweetgreen, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Fiscal year 2023 was a 53-week period that ended December 31, 2023, fiscal year 2022 was a 52-week period that ended December 25, 2022, and fiscal year 2021 was a 52-week period that ended December 26, 2021. In a 52-week fiscal year, each fiscal quarter includes 13 weeks of operations. In a 53-week fiscal year, the first, second, and third fiscal quarters each include 13 weeks of operations, and the fourth fiscal quarter includes 14 weeks of operations. Fiscal year 2023 and 2022 results for AUV and Same-Store Sales Change have been adjusted. See the subsections titled “—Key Performance Metrics” and “—Quarterly Results of Operations” for more information, including a description of the adjustments made to, and the unadjusted values for, AUV and Same-Store Sales Change for the periods presented. We have elected to classify utilities and repairs and maintenance costs to conform with the current presentation of occupancy and other related cost within the consolidated statement of operations. As such, certain prior period financial information has been reclassified. For additional information, see Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Overview We are a mission-driven, next generation restaurant and lifestyle brand that serves healthy food at scale. Our bold vision is to be as ubiquitous as traditional fast food, but with the transparency and quality that consumers increasingly expect. As of December 31, 2023, we owned and operated 221 restaurants in 18 states and Washington, D.C. Initial Public Offering On November 22, 2021, we completed our IPO in which we issued and sold 14,950,000 shares of Class A common stock at a public offering price of $28.00 per share for net proceeds of $384.7 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. For additional information, see Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Factors Affecting Our Business Expanding Restaurant Footprint Opening new restaurants is an important driver of our revenue growth. In fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021, we h ad 35, 36, and 31 Net N ew Restaurant Openings, respectively, bringing our total count as of December 31, 2023 to 221 restaurants in 18 states and Washington, D.C. We are still in the very nascent stages of our journey, and one of our greatest immediate opportunities is to grow our footprint in both existing and new U.S. markets and, over time, internationally. Real Estate Selection 59 Tab le o f Contents We utilize a rigorous, data-driven real estate selection process to identify the location and timing of opening new restaurants, both in new and existing U.S. markets and in urban and suburban areas, with both high anticipated foot or vehicle traffic and proximity to workplaces, residences and other restaurant and retail businesses that support our multi-channel approach, including our Native Delivery, Marketplace Delivery and Outpost and Catering Channels. Macroeconomic Conditions, Inflation, and Supply Chain Constraints Consumer spending on food outside the home fluctuates with macroeconomic conditions. Consumers tend to allocate higher spending to food outside the home when macroeconomic conditions are stronger, and reduce spending on food outside the home during weaker economies. Our customers have in the past demonstrated a willingness to pay a premium for a craveable, convenient, and healthier alternative to traditional fast-food and fast-casual offerings. However, as a premium offering in the fast-casual industry, we are exposed both to consumers trading the convenience of food away from home for the cost benefit of cooking, and to consumers selecting less expensive fast-casual alternatives during weaker economic periods. While we have historically been able to partially offset inflation and other increases in the costs of core operating resources, such as wage increases and increases in cost of goods sold, by gradually increasing menu prices or other customer fees, such as service fees and delivery fees, coupled with more efficient purchasing practices, productivity improvements, and greater economies of scale, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so in the current macroeconomic environment or in the future. In particular, current and future macroeconomic conditions could cause additional menu price increases to negatively impact our Same Store Sales Growth. There can be no assurance that future cost increases, including as a result of inflation, can be offset by increased menu prices or that our current or future menu prices will be fully absorbed by our customers without any resulting change to their demand for our products. Our revenue growth has been negatively impacted in recent periods, in part by current macroeconomics conditions. We continue to see variability in our customer traffic patterns, including as a result of fluctuations in return to office as a result of many workplaces adopting remote or hybrid models and we expect this variability to continue for the foreseeable future. During the first fiscal quarter of 2023, there was an interruption by our supplier to the supply of packaging to our stores. This caused a disruption in our stores, as well as higher costs of packaging materials, which negatively impacted our restaurant operating costs during that period. However, later in fiscal year 2023 we started to see reduced costs of certain ingredients, specifically with respect to chicken and fish. Seasonality Our revenue fluctuates as a result of seasonal factors and weather conditions. Historically, our revenue has been lower in the first and fourth fiscal quarters of the year due, in part, to the holiday season and the fact that fewer people eat out during periods of inclement weather (generally the winter months, though inclement weather conditions may occur in certain markets at any time of the year) than during periods of mild to warm weather (the spring, summer, and fall months). In addition, a core part of our menu, salads, has proven to be more popular among consumers in the warmer months. Recently, as consumer behavior trends have changed due in part to the emergence of hybrid or remote work environments, the seasonality in our business has been less predictable than in prior years and we have seen an increase and prolonged negative impact on our revenue around national holidays. These factors resulted in slower sales growth than anticipated during fiscal year 2023. Sales Channel Mix Our revenue is derived from sales of food and beverage to customers through our five sales channels: In-Store Channel, Pick-Up Channel, Native Delivery Channel, Marketplace Channel, and Outpost and Catering Channel. There have been historical fluctuations in the mix of sales between our various channels. Due to the fact that our Native Delivery, Outpost and Catering , and Marketplace Channels require the payment of third-party fees in order to fulfill deliveries, sales through these channels have historically negatively impacted our margins. Additionally, historically, orders on our Native Delivery, Outpost and Catering and Marketplace Channels have resulted in a higher rate of refunds and credits than our In-Store and Pick-Up Channels, which has a negative 60 Tab le o f Contents impact on revenue on these channels. We have also historically prioritized promotions and discounts on our Owned Digital Channels, which also reduces revenue on these channels. If we see a shift in sales through the Native Delivery, Outpost and Catering , and Marketplace channels, our margins may decrease. However, over time, we expect that our margins will improve on our Native Delivery, Outpost and Catering , and Marketplace Channels as we scale each of these channels. Key Performance Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures We track the following key performance metrics and non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our performance, identify trends, formulate financial projections, and make strategic decisions. We believe that these key performance metrics, which include certain non-GAAP financial measures, provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of operations in the same manner as our management team. These key performance metrics and non-GAAP financial measures are presented for supplemental informational purposes only, should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from similarly titled metrics or measures presented by other companies. Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 (1) December 25, 2022 (1) December 26, 2021 (1) Net New Restaurant Openings 35 36 31 Average Unit Volume (as adjusted) (2)(3) $ 2,877 $ 2,905 $ 2,623 Same-Store Sales Change (as adjusted) (%) (3)(4) 4% 13% 25% Total Digital Revenue Percentage 59% 62% 67% Owned Digital Revenue Percentage 36% 41% 46% (1) We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year end that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Fiscal year 2023 was a 53-week year with the extra operating week (the “53rd week”) falling in our fourth fiscal quarter. Fiscal 2022 and 2021 each contained 52 weeks. (2) No restaurants were excluded from the Comparable Restaurant Base as of the end of fiscal year 2023. Our results for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2022 have been adjusted to reflect the temporary closures of two restaurants which were excluded from the Comparable Restaurant Base. Such adjustment did not result in a material change to AUV. (3) For fiscal year 2023, Average Unit Volume and Same-Store Sales Change was adjusted to exclude the 53rd week of operations. (4) Our results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 have been adjusted to reflect the temporary closures of two restaurants, which were excluded from the calculation of Same-Store Sales change. Such adjustments did not have a material impact on our Same-Store Sales Change for 2023. Our results for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2022, have been adjusted to reflect the temporary closures of 6 restaurants. Such adjustments did not have a material impact on our Same-Store Sales Change for 2022. Our results for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2021 have been adjusted to reflect the temporary closures of 64 restaurants in fiscal year 2021 due to civil disturbances that occurred in fiscal year 2020 (which includes 8 additional restaurants that had not been operating long enough to be part of the Comparable Restaurant Base for the fiscal year 2020 calculations). With respect to the temporary closures due to civil disturbances, because excluding an entire fiscal month for these restaurants, which represented a significant portion of our restaurant fleet, would result in a Same-Store Sales Change figure that is not representative of our business as a whole, we excluded only one week from the calculation of Same-Store Sales Change for these restaurants. Without these adjustments, Same-Store Sales Change would have been 29% for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2021. Net New Restaurant Openings Net New Restaurant Openings reflect the number of new Sweetgreen restaurant openings during a given reporting period, net of any permanent Sweetgreen restaurant closures during the same given period. Before we open new restaurants, we incur pre-opening costs, as further described below. During fiscal year 2024, we plan to integrate our Infinite Kitchen into an increased number of our new restaurants. Average Unit Volume AUV is defined as the average trailing revenue for the prior four fiscal quarters for all restaurants in the Comparable Restaurant Base. The measure of AUV allows us to assess changes in guest traffic and per transaction patterns at our restaurants. Comparable Restaurant Base for any measurement period is defined as all restaurants that have operated for at least twelve full months as of the end of such measurement per iod, other than any restaurants that had a material, temporary closure during the relevant measurement period. No restaurants were excluded from the Comparable Restaurant Base as of the end of fiscal year 2023. W e excluded two restaurants from our Comparable Restaurant Base to reflect the temporary closure of such restaurants in fiscal year 2022. Such exclusions did not result in a material change to AUV. No restaurants were excluded from the Comparable Restaurant Base as of the end of fiscal year 2021. 61 Tab le o f Contents Same-Store Sales Change Same-Store Sales Change reflects the percentage change in year-over-year revenue for the relevant fiscal period for all restaurants that have operated for at least 13 full fiscal months as of the end of such fiscal period excluding the 53rd week in any 53-week fiscal year; provided, that for any restaurant that has had a temporary closure (which historically has been defined as a closure of at least five days during which the restaurant would have otherwise been open) during any prior or current fiscal month, such fiscal month, as well as the corresponding fiscal month for the prior or current fiscal year, as applicable, will be excluded when calculating Same-Store Sales Change for that restaurant. During fiscal year 2023, we excluded two rest aurants from our Same-Store Sales Change to reflect the temporary closure of such restaurants, which d id not result in a material change to Same-Store Sales Change for 2023. During fiscal year 2022, we excluded six restaurants from our Same-Store Sales Change to reflect the temporary closure of such restaurants, which d id not result in a material change to Same-Store Sales Change for 2022. Further, as a result of temporary closures of 19 restaurants due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the second and third fiscal quarters of 2020, Same-Store Sales Change has been adjusted for fiscal year 2021. Additionally, as a result of temporary closures of restaurants due to civil disturbances that occurred during one week in fiscal year 2020 we excluded only one week from the calculation of Same-Store Sales Change for fiscal year 2021. Fiscal year 2021 has been adjusted to reflect the temporary closures of 64 restaurants in fiscal year 2021 due to civil disturbances that occurred in fiscal year 2020 (which includes 8 additional restaurants that had not been operating long enough to be part of the Comparable Restaurant Base for the fiscal year 2020 calculations ) . This is because excluding an entire fiscal month for these restaurants which represented a significant portion of our restaurant fleet, would result in a Same-Store Sales Change figure that is not representative of our business as a whole. This exclusion impacted the calculation of Same-Store Sales Change for these restaurants for fiscal year 2021. Therefore, Same-Store Sales Change for fiscal year 2021 is not comparable to Same-Store Sales Change for fiscal year 2023 and 2022. This measure highlights the performance of existing restaurants, while excluding the impact of new restaurant openings and closures. Total Digital Revenue Percentage and Owned Digital Revenue Percentage Our Total Digital Revenue Percentage is the percentage of our revenue attributed to purchases made through our Total Digital Channels. Our Owned Digital Revenue Percentage is the percentage of our revenue attributed to purchases made through our Owned Digital Channels. In recent years, we have experienced a reduction in our Owned Digital Revenue Percentage and our Total Digital Revenue percentage, which we believe is due to the continuing recovery of our In-Store Channel. Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to our consolidated financial statements, which are presented in accordance with GAAP, we present certain non-GAAP financial measures, including Restaurant-Level Profit, Restaurant-Level Profit Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. We believe these measures are useful to investors and others in evaluating our performance because these measures: • facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period by isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance or that vary widely among similar companies. These potential differences may be caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expense), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates or NOL), and the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense); • are widely used by analysts, investors, and competitors to measure a company’s operating performance; are used by our management and board of directors for various purposes, including as measures of performance, as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting; and • are used internally for a number of benchmarks including to compare our performance to that of our competitors . Restaurant-Level Profit, Restaurant-Level Profit Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In particular, Restaurant-Level Profit and Adjusted EBITDA should not be 62 Tab le o f Contents viewed as substitutes for, or superior to, loss from operations or net loss prepared in accordance with GAAP as a measure of profitability. Some of these limitations are: • although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Restaurant-Level Profit and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect all cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements; • Restaurant-Level Profit and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; • Restaurant-Level Profit and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the impact of the recording or release of valuation allowances or tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; • Restaurant-Level Profit and Adjusted EBITDA do not consider the potentially dilutive impact of stock-based compensation; • Restaurant-Level Profit is not indicative of overall results of the Company and does not accrue directly to the benefit of stockholders, as corporate-level expenses are excluded; • Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account any income or costs that management determines are not indicative of ongoing operating performance, such as stock-based compensation; loss on disposal of property and equipment; certain other expenses; Spyce acquisition costs; enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”) implementation and related costs; legal settlements; and, in certain periods, impairment and closure costs and restructuring charges; and • other companies, including those in our industry, may calculate Restaurant-Level Profit and Adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, you should consider Restaurant-Level Profit, Restaurant-Level Profit Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin alongside other financial performance measures, loss from operations, net loss, and our other GAAP results. Restaurant-Level Profit and Restaurant-Level Profit Margin We define Restaurant-Level Profit as loss from operations adjusted to exclude general and administrative expense, depreciation and amortization, pre-opening costs, loss on disposal of property and equipment and in certain periods, impairment and closure costs and restructuring charges. Restaurant-Level Profit Margin is Restaurant-Level Profit as a percentage of revenue. As it excludes general and administrative expense, which is primarily attributable to our corporate headquarters, which we refer to as our Sweetgreen Support Center, we evaluate Restaurant-Level Profit and Restaurant-Level Profit Margin as a measure of profitability of our restaurants. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our loss from operations to Restaurant-Level Profit, as well as the calculation of loss from operations margin and Restaurant-Level Profit Margin for each of the periods indicated : 63 Tab le o f Contents Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 (1) December 25, 2022 (1) December 26, 2021 (1) Loss from operations $ (122,344) $ (193,337) $ (134,399) Add back: General and administrative 146,762 187,367 125,040 Depreciation and amortization 59,491 46,471 35,549 Pre-opening costs 9,263 11,523 9,193 Impairment and closure costs 624 2,542 4,915 Loss on disposal of property and equipment (2) 687 278 107 Restructuring charges (3) 7,437 14,442 — Restaurant-Level Profit $ 101,920 $ 69,286 $ 40,405 Loss from operations margin (21) % (41) % (40) % Restaurant-Level Profit Margin 17 % 15 % 12 % (1) We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year end that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Fiscal year 2023 was a 53-week year with the extra operating week (the “53rd week”) falling in our fourth fiscal quarter. Fiscal 2022 and 2021 each contained 52 weeks. (2) Loss on disposal of property and equipment includes the loss on disposal of assets related to retirements and replacement or write-off of leasehold improvements or equipment. (3) Restructuring charges are expenses that are paid in connection with reorganization of our operations. These costs primarily include lease and related costs associated with our vacated former Sweetgreen Support Center, including the impairment and amortization of the operating lease asset, expenses from workforce reductions affecting approximately 5% of employees at our Sweetgreen Support Center, and contract termination costs, related to streamlining our future new restaurant openings. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss adjusted to exclude income tax expense, interest income, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, loss on disposal of property and equipment, other (income) expense, Spyce acquisition costs, ERP implementation and related costs, and, in certain periods, impairment and closure costs, restructuring charges and legal settlements. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of our net loss to Adjusted EBITDA, as well as the calculation of net loss margin and Adjusted EBITDA Margin for each of the periods indicated: 64 Tab le o f Contents Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 (1) December 25, 2022 (1) December 26, 2021 (1) Net loss $ (113,384) $ (190,441) $ (153,175) Non-GAAP adjustments: Income tax expense 379 1,345 147 Interest income (12,942) (5,143) (450) Interest expense 128 83 87 Depreciation and amortization 59,491 46,471 35,549 Stock-based compensation (2) 49,532 78,736 28,897 Loss on disposal of property and equipment (3) 687 278 107 Impairment and closure costs (4) 624 2,542 4,915 Other expense (5) 3,475 819 18,992 Spyce acquisition costs (6) 472 646 1,832 Restructuring charges (7) 7,437 14,442 — ERP implementation and related costs (8) 881 288 — Legal settlements (9) 425 $ — $ — Adjusted EBITDA $ (2,795) $ (49,934) $ (63,099) Net loss margin (19)% (41)% (45)% Adjusted EBITDA Margin —% (11)% (19)% (1) We operate on a 52/53 week fiscal year end that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Fiscal year 2023 was a 53-week year with the extra operating week (the “53rd week”) falling in our fourth fiscal quarter. Fiscal 2022 and 2021 each contained 52 weeks. (2) Includes non-cash, stock-based compensation. (3) Loss on disposal of property and equipment includes the loss on disposal of assets related to retirements and replacement or write-off of leasehold improvements or equipment. (4) Includes costs related to impairment of long-lived and operating lease assets and store closures. (5) Other expense includes the change in fair value of the contingent consideration and the change in fair value of the warrant liability. For additional information, see Notes 1 and 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (6) Spyce acquisition costs includes one-time costs we incurred in order to acquire Spyce including, severance payments, retention bonuses, and valuation and legal expenses. For additional information, see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (7) Restructuring charges are expenses that are paid in connection with reorganization of our operations. These costs primarily include lease and related non-cash expenses associated with our vacated former Sweetgreen Support Center, including the impairment of the operating lease asset. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (8) Represents the amortization costs associated to the implementation from our cloud computing arrangements in relation to our new ERP. (9) Expenses incurred to establish accruals related to the settlements of legal matters. Components of Results of Operations Revenue We recognize food and beverage revenue, net of discounts and incentives, when payment is tendered at the point of sale as the performance obligation has been satisfied, through our three disaggregated revenue channels: Owned Digital Channels, In-Store-Channel (Non-Digital component), and Marketplace Channel. Provisions for discounts are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. Sales taxes and other taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis, and as such, are excluded from revenue. We expect revenue to increase as we focus on opening additional restaurants, diversify and expand our menu, make investments in our Owned Digital Channels to attract new customers and increase order frequency in our existing customers, as well as any increases in the price of our menu items. Gift Cards . We also sell gift cards that do not have an expiration date. Upon sale, gift cards are recorded as unearned revenue and included within gift card liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The 65 Tab le o f Contents revenue from gift cards is recognized when redeemed by customers. Because we do not track addresses of gift card purchasers, the relevant jurisdiction related to the requirement for escheatment, the legal obligation to remit unclaimed assets to the state, is our state of incorporation, which is Delaware. The state of Delaware requires escheatment after five years from issuance. We do not recognize breakage income because of our requirements to escheat unredeemed gift card balances. Delivery. The majority of our restaurant locations offer a delivery option. Delivery services are fulfilled by third-party service providers whether delivery is ordered through our Native Delivery Channel or Marketplace Channel. With respect to Native Delivery Channel sales, we control the delivery services and recognize revenue, including delivery revenue, when the delivery partner transfers food or beverage to the customer. For these sales, we receive payment directly from the customer at the time of sale. With respect to Marketplace Channel sales, we recognize revenue, excluding delivery fees collected by the delivery partner as we do not control the delivery service, when control of the food or beverage is delivered to the end customer. We receive payment from the delivery partner subsequent to the transfer of food and the payment terms are short-term in nature. For all delivery sales, we are considered the principal and recognize the revenue on a gross basis. For a more detailed discussion of our third-party delivery fees and our expectations regarding our margins, see the section titled “—Sales Channel Mix” above. Restaurant Operating Costs, Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization Food, Beverage, and Packaging Food, beverage, and packaging costs include the direct costs associated with food, beverage, and packaging of our menu items. We anticipate food, beverage and packaging costs on an absolute dollar basis will increase for the foreseeable future to the extent we experience additional in-store orders, as we open additional restaurants, and as a result our revenue grows. Food, beverage, and packaging costs as a percentage of revenue may vary, as these costs are impacted by menu mix and fluctuations in commodity costs, inflation, and availability, as well as geographic scale and proximity. We will continue to innovate in key areas, including menu. Labor and Related Ex penses Labor and related expenses include salaries, bonuses, benefits, payroll taxes, workers compensation expenses, and other expenses related to our restaurant employees. As with other variable expense items, we expect labor costs to grow as our revenue grows. Other factors that influence labor costs include each jurisdiction’s minimum wage and payroll tax legislation, inflation, the strength of the labor market for hourly employees, benefit costs, health care costs, and the size and location of our restaurants. Occupancy and Related Expenses Occupancy and related expenses consist of restaurant-level occupancy expenses (including rent, common area maintenance (”CAM”) expenses, and real estate taxes), and exclude occupancy expenses associated with unopened restaurants, which are recorded separately in pre-opening costs. We anticipate occupancy and related expenses on an absolute dollar basis will increase for the foreseeable future to the extent we continue to open new restaurants and revenue grows. Occupancy and related expenses as a percentage of revenue are impacted by geographic location, type of restaurant build, and amount of revenue. Other Restaurant Operating Costs Other restaurant operating costs include other operating expenses incidental to operating our restaurants, such as repairs and maintenance, utilities, certain local taxes, third-party delivery fees, non-perishable supplies, restaurant-level marketing, credit card fees and property insurance. We expect that other restaurant operating costs will increase on an absolute dollar basis for the foreseeable future to the extent we continue to open new restaurants and our revenue grows. Other restaurant operating costs as a percentage of revenue are expected to increase in line with growth in our Native Delivery, Outpost and Catering , and Marketplace Channels, as these channels require us to pay third-party delivery fees. However, as revenue increases, we expect that other restaurant operating costs, such as repairs and maintenance and property insurance, as a percentage of revenue will decline. 66 Tab le o f Contents Operating Expenses General and Administrative General and administrative expenses consist primarily of operations, technology, finance, legal, human resources, administrative personnel, and other personnel costs that support restaurant development and operations, as well as stock-based compensation expense and brand-related marketing. As a percentage of revenue, we expect our general and administrative expenses to vary from period to period and to decrease over time. Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation and amortization include the depreciation of fixed assets, including leasehold improvements and equipment, and the amortization of external costs, certain internal costs directly associated with developing computer software applications for internal use, and developed technology acquired as part of our Spyce acquisition. We expect that depreciation and amortization expenses will increase on an absolute dollar basis as we continue to build new restaurants and make investments in our digital platform. Pre-Opening Costs Pre-opening costs primarily consist of rent, wages, travel for training and restaurant opening teams, food, marketing, and other restaurant costs that we incur prior to the opening of a restaurant. These expenses will increase in proportion to the increase of our new restaurant openings. These costs are expensed as incurred. Pre-opening costs depend on the number of new stores we open during each period. As a result, we expect that pre-opening costs on an absolute dollar basis will fluctuate from period to period. Impairment and Closure Costs Impairment includes impairment charges related to our long-lived assets, which include property and equipment, and subsequent to the adoption of ASC Topic 842 (“ASC 842”) in fiscal year 2022, operating lease assets. Prior to the adoption of ASC 842 closure costs included non-cash restaurant charges such as up-front expensing the net present value of unpaid rent remaining on the life of a lease offset by assumed sublease income. Subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842, closure costs include lease and related costs associated with closed restaurants and the vacated Sweetgreen Support Center, including the amortization of the operating lease asset, and expenses associated with CAM and real estate taxes for previously impaired stores. Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment Loss on disposal of property and equipment includes the net book value of assets that have been retired and consists primarily of furniture, equipment and fixtures that were replaced in the normal course of business. Restructuring Charges Restructuring charges are expenses that are paid in connection with the reorganization of our operations. These costs primarily include operating lease asset impairment costs related to our vacated former Sweetgreen Support Center, as well as the amortization of the underlying operating lease asset and related real estate and CAM charge s, severance and related benefits from workforce reductions at our Sweetgreen Support Center, and costs related to abandoning certain potential future restaurant sites, which are a result of our efforts to streamline our future new restaurant openings, and other related expenses. Interest Income and Interest Expense Interest income consists of interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents. Interest expense includes mainly amortization of deferred financing costs from our debt origination and commitment fees. 67 Tab le o f Contents Other Expense Other expense consists primarily of changes in the fair value of our contingent consideration liability. We will continue to remeasure the liability associated with our contingent consideration liability until the underlying service conditions are met, or the performance period expires. Income Tax Expense Income tax expense consists of federal and state tax expense on our operating activity, and changes to our deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability. For additional information, see Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Results of Operations Comparison of Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2022 The following table summarizes our results of operations for fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2022: Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Dollar Change Percentage Change Revenue $ 584,041 $ 470,105 $ 113,936 24 % Restaurant operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below): Food, beverage, and packaging 161,725 130,136 31,589 24 % Labor and related expenses 171,306 147,474 23,832 16 % Occupancy and related expenses 54,281 45,238 9,043 20 % Other restaurant operating costs 94,809 77,971 16,838 22 % Total cost of restaurant operations 482,121 400,819 81,302 20 % Operating expenses: General and administrative 146,762 187,367 (40,605) (22 %) Depreciation and amortization 59,491 46,471 13,020 28 % Pre-opening costs 9,263 11,523 (2,260) (20 %) Impairment and closure costs 624 2,542 (1,918) (75 %) Loss on disposal of property and equipment 687 278 409 147 % Restructuring charges 7,437 14,442 (7,005) (49 %) Total operating expenses 224,264 262,623 (38,359) (15 %) Loss from operations (122,344) (193,337) 70,993 (37 %) Interest income (12,942) (5,143) (7,799) 152 % Interest expense 128 83 45 54 % Other expense 3,475 819 2,656 324 % Loss from operations before income taxes (113,005) (189,096) 76,091 (40 %) Income tax expense 379 1,345 (966) (72 %) Net loss $ (113,384) $ (190,441) $ 77,057 (40 %) Revenue Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Revenue $ 584,041 $ 470,105 24 % Average Unit Volume $ 2,877 $ 2,905 (1 %) Same-Store Sales Change 4% 13% (9 %) 68 Tab le o f Contents The increase in revenue in fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to $92.2 million of incremental revenue associated with 71 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2023 and 2022. The increase in revenue was also impacted by an increase in Comparable Restaurant Base revenue of $21.3 million, resulting in a positive Same-Store Sales Change of 4%, consisting of a 4% benefit from menu price increases as traffic/product mix remained flat. In addition, we had an additional week of revenue in fiscal year 2023. The increase in revenue was partially offset by the negative impact of restaurant closures in fiscal year 2023, as well as an increase in discounts associated with the launch of our Sweetpass+ loyalty program. Restaurant Operating Costs Food, Beverage, and Packaging Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Food, beverage, and packaging $ 161,725 $ 130,136 24 % As a percentage of total revenue 28% 28% — % The increase in food, beverage, and packaging costs for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to a $26.6 million increase in food and beverage costs and a $5.0 million increase in packaging cost. This w as primarily due to the 71 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2023 and 2022 as well as the use of higher-cost proteins. In addition, during fiscal year 2023, we experienced supply chain disruptions for our bowls and plates, which resulted in the use of alternative packaging solutions with higher costs of materials. As a percentage of revenue, food, beverage, and packaging costs for fiscal year 2023 remained consistent with the prior year primarily as a result of the increase in costs of packaging, up streaming initiatives, and a larger mix of higher cost proteins, offset by menu pricing increases. Labor and Related Expenses Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Labor and related expenses $ 171,306 $ 147,474 16 % As a percentage of total revenue 29% 31% (2 %) The increase in labor and related expenses for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to the 71 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The increase was also due to an increase in staffing expenses across all of our locations, primarily due to an increase in prevailing wage rates in many of our markets as a result of continued wage rate inflation in the industry. These increases were partially offset by a $1.8 million benefit related to refundable employee retention tax credits (“ERC”) issued as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) as well as an improvement in labor optimization. See Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on the ERC. As a percentage of revenue, the decrease in labor and related expenses for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to higher revenue, improvement in labor optimization and the $1.8 million ERC benefit as discussed above. 69 Tab le o f Contents Occupancy and Related Expenses Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Occupancy and related expenses $ 54,281 $ 45,238 20 % As a percentage of total revenue 9 % 10 % (1 %) The increase in occupancy and related expenses for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to the 71 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2022 and 2023. As a percentage of revenue, the decrease in occupancy and related expenses for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to an increase in locations in areas with lower occupancy cost as well as higher revenue. Other Restaurant Operating Costs Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Other restaurant operating costs $ 94,809 $ 77,971 22 % As a percentage of total revenue 16 % 17 % (1 %) The increase in other restaurant operating costs for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to the 71 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2022 and 2023. This includes increases in utilities and repair and maintenance expenses, delivery fees due to higher transaction volume, credit card and online processing fees related to the increases in revenue, and kitchen, cleaning and related supplies to support the Net New Restaurant Openings described above. As a percentage of revenue, the decrease in other restaurant operating costs during fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to higher revenue. Operating Expenses General and Administrative Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change General and administrative $ 146,762 $ 187,367 (22 %) As a percentage of total revenue 25 % 40 % (15 %) The decrease in general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to a $29.2 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense, a $5.2 million decrease in management salaries and benefits, including bonus, the benefit of $5.1 million of ERC, and a $1.6 million decrease in liability insurance. Additionally, we had decreases in research and prototyping costs, rent and related costs, travel-related expenses, and office systems. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in consulting fees, non-income taxes, and expense related to the amortization of costs associated with the implementation of our cloud computing arrangements in relation to our new ERP system. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2023 decreased from fiscal year 2022, primarily due to the fluctuations noted above, as well as comparatively higher revenue in the current period. Depreciation and Amortization 70 Tab le o f Contents Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Depreciation and amortization $ 59,491 $ 46,471 28 % As a percentage of total revenue 10 % 10 % — % The increase in depreciation and amortization for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to the 71 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2022 and 2023. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization for fiscal year 2023 was flat compared to fiscal year 2022, primarily due to comparatively higher revenue in fiscal year 2023, offset by the increases noted above. Pre-Opening Costs Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Pre-opening costs $ 9,263 $ 11,523 (20 %) As a percentage of total revenue 2 % 2 % — % The decrease in pre-opening costs for fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to improved cost efficiencies across 38 new restaurant openings in 2023 compared to 39 new restaurant openings in 2022. As a percentage of revenue, pre-opening costs were relatively flat in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022. Impairment and Closure Costs Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Impairment and closure costs $ 624 $ 2,542 (75 %) As a percentage of total revenue — % 1 % (1 %) During fiscal year 2023 we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $0.6 million related to lease and related costs associated with previously closed stores, including the amortization of operating lease asset, and expenses associated with CAM and real estate taxes. During fiscal year 2022 we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $2.0 million related to the property and equipment of three of our restaurants and non-cash impairment charges of $0.4 million related to the operating lease assets of three of our restaurants, as well as $0.1 million of closure costs related to one store previously operated by Spyce. Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Loss on disposal of property and equipment $ 687 $ 278 147 % As a percentage of total revenue — % — % — % 71 Tab le o f Contents The increase in loss on disposal of property and equipment was due to the timing of furniture, equipment and fixture replacements at multiple restaurants, in addition to a fleet-wide replacement of kitchen equipment with more cost efficient items in fiscal year 2023 as compared to fiscal year 2022. Restructuring charges Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Restructuring charges $ 7,437 $ 14,442 (49 %) As a percentage of total revenue 1 % 3 % (2 %) During fiscal year 2022, we implemented the Plan to manage operating expenses at our Sweetgreen Support Center and incurred total pre-tax restructuring and related charges of approximately $14.4 million. This included a $13.0 million non-cash restructuring expense due to a reduction of our real estate footprint by vacating the premises of the existing Sweetgreen Support Center and moving to a smaller office space adjacent to the existing location, of which $6.8 million related to impairment of the long-lived assets, $5.8 million, and $0.4 million related to impairment of our operating lease asset and closure costs, respectively, associated with the Sweetgreen Support Center, $0.6 million of severance and related benefits from workforce reductions affecting approximately 5% of employees at the Sweetgreen Support Center; $0.6 million of costs related to abandoning certain potential future restaurant sites in an effort to streamline our future new restaurant openings, and $0.2 million of other related expenses. During fiscal year 2023, stemming from the Plan, we recorded restructuring charges of $7.4 million primarily related to operating lease asset impairment costs from our vacated former Sweetgreen Support Center as well as the amortization of the underlying operating lease asset and related real estate and CAM charges. Interest Income and Interest Expense Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Interest income $ (12,942) $ (5,143) 152 % Interest expense 128 83 54 % Total income expense (12,814) (5,060) 153 % As a percentage of total revenue (2) % (1) % (1 %) The increase in interest income, net, was primarily due to higher interest rates on our money market accounts during fiscal year 2023. Other Expense Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Other expense $ 3,475 $ 819 324 % As a percentage of total revenue 1 % — % 1 % The change in other expense in fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to a change in the fair value of our contingent consideration compared to the prior year, which was issued as part of the Spyce acquisition in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021. 72 Tab le o f Contents Income Tax Expense Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 Percentage Change Income tax expense $ 379 $ 1,345 (72 %) As a percentage of total revenue — % — % — % Our effective tax rate for the fiscal years ended 2023 and 2022 was (0.3%) and (0.7%), re spectively, primarily due to the full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets. Comparison of Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2021 The following table summarizes our results of operations for fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2021: Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Dollar Change Percentage Change Revenue $ 470,105 $ 339,874 $ 130,231 38 % Restaurant operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below): Food, beverage, and packaging 130,136 93,699 36,437 39 % Labor and related expenses 147,474 110,368 37,106 34 % Occupancy and related expenses 45,238 35,863 9,375 26 % Other restaurant operating costs 77,971 59,539 18,432 31 % Total cost of restaurant operations 400,819 299,469 101,350 34 % Operating expenses: General and administrative 187,367 125,040 62,327 50 % Depreciation and amortization 46,471 35,549 10,922 31 % Pre-opening costs 11,523 9,193 2,330 25 % Impairment and closure costs 2,542 4,915 (2,373) (48 %) Loss on disposal of property and equipment 278 107 171 160 % Restructuring charges 14,442 — 14,442 N/A Total operating expenses 262,623 174,804 87,819 50 % Loss from operations (193,337) (134,399) (58,938) 44 % Interest income (5,143) (450) (4,693) 1043 % Interest expense 83 87 (4) (5 %) Other expense 819 18,992 (18,173) (96 %) Loss from operations before income taxes (189,096) (153,028) (36,068) 24 % Income tax provision 1,345 147 1,198 N/A Net loss $ (190,441) $ (153,175) $ (37,266) 24 % Revenue 73 Tab le o f Contents Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Revenue $ 470,105 $ 339,874 38 % Average Unit Volume $ 2,905 $ 2,623 11 % Same-Store Sales Change 13 % 25 % (12 %) The increase in revenue in fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to $88.1 million of incremental revenue associated with 67 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. The increase in revenue was also impacted by an increase in Comparable Restaurant Base revenue of $43.6 million, resulting in a positive Same-Store Sales Change of 13%, consisting of a 7% benefit from menu price increases and a 6% increase from transactions. The increase in transactions is mostly related to recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, experienced in the prior year. These increases were partially offset by the $1.5 million negative impact from temporary restaurant closures, increased discounts and relocations of restaurants in fiscal year 2022. Restaurant Operating Costs Food, Beverage, and Packaging Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Food, beverage, and packaging $ 130,136 $ 93,699 39 % As a percentage of total revenue 28 % 28 % — % The increase in food, beverage, and packaging costs for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to a $33.3 million increase in food and beverage costs, a $2.9 million increase in packaging costs and a $0.3 million increase in freight and gas surcharges associated with deliveries from our distribution partners. This was primarily due to the 67 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2021 and 2022, as well as higher charges on some of our key ingredients due to supply chain disruptions. As a percentage of revenue, food, beverage, and packaging costs for fiscal year 2022 remained consistent with the prior year. This was primarily due to our menu pricing increases, offset by continued inflationary pressures, higher freight-related surcharges and increased pricing on some of our key ingredients due to supply chain disruptions. Labor and Related Expenses Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Labor and related expenses $ 147,474 $ 110,368 34 % As a percentage of total revenue 31 % 32 % (1 %) The increase in labor and related expenses for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to an increase in staffing expenses across all of our markets. This was mostly due to the 67 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. The increase was also due to an increase in prevailing wage rates in many of our markets as a result of continued wage rate inflation in the industry and an increase in bonus expense, including a non-recurring retention bonus paid during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, as we focus on employee retention. 74 Tab le o f Contents As a percentage of revenue, the decrease in labor and related expenses for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to the impact of menu price increases, described above, greater sales leverage associated with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and simplification of our operating model, partially offset by an increase in prevailing wages as a result of continued wage rate inflation in the industry. Occupancy and Related Expenses Certain prior period financial information has been reclassified, specifically related to repairs and maintenance and utilities, to conform with the current presentation of other restaurant operating costs within the consolidated statement of operations. As a result of the change, we recorded a $19.8 million and $14.3 million reclassification from other occupancy and related expenses to other restaurant operating costs for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Occupancy and related expenses $ 45,238 $ 35,863 26 % As a percentage of total revenue 10 % 11 % (1 %) The increase in occupancy and related expenses for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to the 67 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Further, the increase was also impacted by higher COVID-19 related rent abatement received for multiple restaurant locations during fiscal year 2021. As a percentage of revenue, the decrease in occupancy and related expenses for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to the impact of menu pricing increases discussed above and greater sales leverage associated with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by higher rent abatement received for multiple restaurant locations during fiscal year 2021. Other Restaurant Operating Costs Certain prior period financial information has been reclassified, specifically related to repairs and maintenance and utilities, to conform with the current presentation of other restaurant operating costs within the consolidated statement of operations. As a result of the change, we recorded a $19.8 million and $14.3 million reclassification from other occupancy and related expenses to other restaurant operating costs for fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Other restaurant operating costs $ 77,971 $ 59,539 31 % As a percentage of total revenue 17 % 18 % (1 %) The increase in other restaurant operating costs for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to a $4.8 million increase in delivery fees due to the growth of our Native Delivery and Marketplace Channels, a $2.6 million increase in credit card and online related processing fees related to the increases in revenue, a $0.8 million increase in marketing related costs and a $0.7 million increase in office systems related expense. Additionally, there was a $6.3 million increase in real estate taxes, utilities and repair and maintenance expenses, and a $4.0 million increase in kitchen, cleaning and related supplies to support the Net New Restaurant Openings described above. As a percentage of revenue, the decrease in other restaurant operating costs during fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to the impact of menu pricing increases discussed above and greater sales leverage associated with the recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 75 Tab le o f Contents Operating Expenses General and Administrative Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change General and administrative $ 187,367 $ 125,040 50 % As a percentage of total revenue 40 % 37 % 3 % The increase in general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to a $49.8 million increase in stock-based compensation expense, primarily related to restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units issued prior to our IPO. We incurred a $5.4 million increase of expense related to our investment in Spyce (see Note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) of which $6.6 million was related to an increase in research and development, partially offset by $1.2 million in non-recurring acquisition related costs. Additionally, we had an increase of approximately $4.2 million as we transitioned to operating as a public company, consisting of a $2.8 million increase in directors and officers liability insurance costs, $0.9 million of higher accounting-related fees and a $0.5 million increase in public company office systems. Included within public company office systems is $0.2 million of expense related to the amortization of costs associated with the implementation of our cloud computing arrangement in relation to our new ERP, which was implemented during fiscal year 2022. Additionally, we had a $3.1 million increase in marketing and advertising costs, and a $2.9 million increase in office systems as we continue to focus on growth and scalability, a $2.0 million increase in legal expense, of which $1.7 million was related to the implementation of ASC 842, a $1.3 million increase in our restaurant training program, a $1.1 million increase in travel and related expenses as we continue to open new stores, and a $0.8 million increase in rent. These costs were partially offset by a $7.0 million decrease in salaries and benefits, including reduced bonus for employees at the Sweetgreen Support Center, a $0.6 million decrease in operational consulting, a $0.3 million decrease in our referral bonus program and a decrease of $0.4 million in other general and administrative costs. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2022 increased from fiscal year 2021 due to the increases noted above, primarily driven by higher stock-based compensation expense. Depreciation and Amortization Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Depreciation and amortization $ 46,471 $ 35,549 31 % As a percentage of total revenue 10 % 10 % — % The increase in depreciation and amortization for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to the 67 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal years 2021 and 2022. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization for fiscal year 2022 was flat compared to fiscal year 2021, primarily due to comparatively higher revenue in fiscal year 2022, offset by the increases noted above. 76 Tab le o f Contents Pre-Opening Costs Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Pre-opening costs $ 11,523 $ 9,193 25 % As a percentage of total revenue 2 % 3 % (1 %) The increase in pre-opening costs for fiscal year 2022 was primarily due to the 36 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal year 2022, as compared to 31 Net New Restaurant Openings during fiscal year 2021. As a percentage of revenue, pre-opening costs decreased as a percentage of total revenue in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021, due to comparatively higher revenue in fiscal year 2022, partially offset by the increases in costs noted above. Impairment and Closure Costs Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Impairment of long-lived assets $ 2,542 $ 4,915 (48 %) As a percentage of total revenue 1 % 1 % — % During fiscal year 2022, we recognized non-cash impairment charges of $2.0 million related to the property and equipment of three of our restaurants, and non-cash impairment charges of $0.4 million related to the operating lease assets of three of our restaurants, as well as $0.1 million of closure costs related to one store previously operated by Spyce. During fiscal year 2021, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $4.4 million related to certain of our stores, as well as the two stores operated by Spyce. During fiscal year 2021, we closed one store operated by Spyce, which was fully impaired during 2021. This closure resulted in closure costs of $0.5 million. Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Loss on disposal of property and equipment $ 278 $ 107 160 % As a percentage of total revenue — % — % — % The increase in loss on disposal of property and equipment is due to an increase in furniture, equipment and fixture replacements in fiscal year 2022 as compared to fiscal year 2021. 77 Tab le o f Contents Restructuring charges Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Restructuring charges $ 14,442 $ — N/A As a percentage of total revenue 3 % — % 3 % During fiscal year 2022, we implemented the Plan to manage operating expenses at our Sweetgreen Support Center, and incurred total pre-tax restructuring and related charges of approximately $14.4 million. This included a $13.0 million non-cash restructuring expense, due to a reduction of our real estate footprint by vacating the premises of the existing Sweetgreen Support Center and moving to a smaller office space adjacent to the existing location, of which $6.8 million related to impairment of the long-lived assets, $5.8 million and $0.4 million related to impairment of our operating lease asset and closure costs, respectively, associated with the Sweetgreen Support Center, $0.6 million of severance and related benefits from workforce reductions affecting approximately 5% of employees at the Sweetgreen Support Center, $0.6 million of costs related to abandoning certain potential future restaurant sites in an effort to streamline our future new restaurant openings, and $0.2 million of other related expenses. Interest Income and Interest Expense Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Interest income $ (5,143) $ (450) 1043 % Interest expense $ 83 $ 87 (5 %) Total income expense (5,060) (363) 1294 % As a percentage of total revenue — % — % — % The increase in interest income, net was primarily due to higher interest rates on our money market accounts during fiscal year 2022, as well as higher average cash balances throughout the year. Other Expense Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Other expense $ 819 $ 18,992 (96 %) As a percentage of total revenue — % 6 % (6 %) The decrease in other expense is primarily due to an increase in the fair value of our preferred warrant liability in fiscal year 2021, which was calculated at the date of our IPO based on the IPO price of $28.00 per share. Subsequent to the IPO, the fair value of our preferred warrant liability was reclassified to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) and will not be a recurring expense. The decrease in other expense was offset by an increase in the fair value of our contingent consideration, which was issued as part of the Spyce acquisition, and will continue to impact other expense until the performance conditions associated with milestones for additional shares of Class A common stock are met or expire. Income Tax Expense 78 Tab le o f Contents Fiscal Year Ended (dollar amounts in thousands) December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Percentage Change Income tax expense $ 1,345 $ 147 815 % As a percentage of total revenue — % — % — % Our effective tax rate for the fiscal years ended 2022 and 2021 was (1.2%) and (0.1%), respectively, primarily due to the full valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets Liquidity and Capital Resources Sources and Material Cash Requirements To date, we have funded our operations through proceeds received from previous common stock and preferred stock issuances, our ability to obtain lending commitments and through cash flow from operations. Additionally, in November 2021, we completed our IPO, from which we received net proceeds of $384.7 million from sales of our shares of Class A common stock, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. As of December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022, we ha d $257.2 million and $331.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 , we had access to a $43.1 million revolver l oan(s) under our 2020 Credit Agreement after giving effect to a $1,945,000 irrevocable standby Letter of Credit outstanding thereunder. As of December 31, 2023 there have been no draws on the revolving facility. Based on our current operating plan, we believe our existing cash and cash equivalents and access to available revolving loan(s), will be sufficient to fund our operating lease obligations, capital expenditures, and working capital needs for at least the next 12 months. We believe we will meet longer-term expected future cash requirements and obligations through a combination of cash flows from operating activities, available cash balances, and access to available revolving loan(s). If we are unable to generate positive operating cash flows, additional debt and equity financings may be necessary to sustain future operations, and there can be no assurance that such financing will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Our primary liquidity and capital requirements are for new restaurant development, initiatives to improve the customer experience in our restaurants, research and development costs, marketing-related costs, working capital and general corporate needs. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we made a cash payment of approximately $10.4 million related to the true-up payment relating to the upfront portion of the purchase price from our acquisition of Spyce. See Note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details. Additionally, subsequent to year end we made a cash payment of approximately $3.9 million related to the Spyce milestone payment, which is currently included within contingent consideration in our consolidated balance sheets for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 . See Note 17 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details. We have not required significant working capital because customers generally pay using cash or credit and debit cards and, as a result, our operations do not require significant receivables. Additionally, our operations do not require significant inventories due, in part, to our use of numerous fresh ingredients. Additionally, we are able to sell most of our inventory items before payment is due to the supplier of such items. The following table presents our material cash requirements for future periods: (in thousands) Total 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Thereafter Operating leases (1) $ 402,304 $ 55,956 $ 56,123 $ 55,048 $ 50,928 $ 45,132 $ 139,117 (1) See Note 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Note 9 includes commitments related to operating leases for which we have not yet taken possession and reasonably certain renewal periods. Credit Facility On December 14, 2020, we entered into a First Amended and Restated Revolving Credit, Delayed Draw Term Loan and Security Agreement (as subsequently amended, as discussed below, the “2020 Credit Facility”) with 79 Tab le o f Contents EagleBank. The 2020 Credit Facility superseded our 2017 revolving credit facility with EagleBank and allows us to borrow (i) up to $35.0 million (subsequently increased to $45.0 million) in the aggregate principal amount under the refinanced revolving facility and (ii) up to $10.0 million in the aggregate principal amount under a delayed draw term loan facility which expired on December 14, 2021 and which was never drawn on. The refinanced revolving facility originally matured on December 14, 2022 (and has since been extended to December 13, 2024). However, if we issue certain convertible debt or unsecured indebtedness that are permitted under the 2020 Credit Facility, then the refinanced revolving facility will mature on the earlier to occur of (i) the maturity date indicated in the previous sentence and (ii) 90 days prior to the scheduled maturity date for any portion of such permitted convertible debt or unsecured indebtedness, as applicable. On May 9, 2022, we and Eagle Bank amended the 2020 Credit Facility to allow for the issuance of letters of credit of up to $1.5 million under the revolving facility. In connection therewith, EagleBank issued a $950,000 irrevocable standby Letter of Credit to us with The Travelers Indemnity Company as the beneficiary in connection with our workers compensation insurance policy. On December 13, 2022, we and Eagle Bank amended the 2020 Credit Facility to extend the maturity date from December 14, 2022 to December 13, 2024. The amendment also increased the revolving facility cap by $10.0 million, to allow for us to borrow up to $45.0 million in the aggregate principal amount under the refinanced revolving facility. On April 26, 2023, we and Eagle Bank further amended the 2020 Credit Facility to allow for an increase to the issuance of Letters of Credit of up to $3.5 million. In connection therewith, we increased our irrevocable standby Letter of Credit with Eagle Bank to $1.95 million, with The Travelers Indemnity Company as the beneficiary in connection with our workers’ compensation insurance policy. This replaced the previous amendment dated May 9, 2022. Under the 2020 Credit Facility, interest accrues on the outstanding loan balance and is payable monthly at a rate of the adjusted one-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate, plus 2.90%, with a floor on the interest rate at 3.75%. As of December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022, we had no outstanding balance under the 2020 Credit Facility. The obligations under the 2020 Credit Facility are guaranteed by our existing and future material subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of our and our subsidiary guarantor’s assets, other than certain excluded assets. The 2020 Credit Facility also restricts our ability, and the ability of our subsidiary guarantors to, among other things, incur liens; incur additional indebtedness; transfer or dispose of assets; make acquisitions; change the nature of the business; guarantee obligations; pay dividends to shareholders or repurchase stock; and make advances, loans, or other investments. The 2020 Credit Facility contains customary events of default, including, without limitation, failure to pay the outstanding loans or accrued interest on the due date. Cash Flows The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated: Fiscal Year Ended (in thousands) December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022 December 26, 2021 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 26,480 (43,169) (64,529) Net cash used in investing activities (95,665) (102,023) (97,548) Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (5,199) 4,632 531,611 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (74,384) $ (140,560) $ 369,534 Operating Activities For fiscal year 2023, cash provided by (used in) operating activities increased $69.6 million compared to fiscal year 2022, primarily due to a $54.1 million reduction in loss after excluding non-cash items, a $15.6 million 80 Tab le o f Contents favorable working capital fluctuation, which is primarily related to the timing of payroll and other payments in the ordinary course of business, and a $3.4 million receipt of our ERC. For fiscal year 2022, cash used in operating activities decreased $21.4 million compared to fiscal year 2021, primarily due to a $25.8 million reduction in loss after excluding non-cash items, partially offset by $4.4 million of unfavorable working capital fluctuation. The unfavorable working capital fluctuations were due to an $11.1 million increase in cash outflow primarily related to timing of accrued payroll and benefits, including payment of deferred social security taxes, timing of rent payments previously deferred as part of COVID negotiations with landlords, timing of payment of legal settlements, and timing of payments in the ordinary course of business. These unfavorable fluctuations were partially offset by increased collection of our tenant improvement receivables. Investing Activities For fiscal year 2023, cash used in investing activities was $95.7 million, a decrease of $6.4 million compared to fiscal year 2022. Investing activities in fiscal year 2023 consisted primarily of purchases of property and equipment of $89.7 million related to 38 gross new restaurant openings (excluding tenant improvement allowances), restaurants in process, renovations, and prepayments associated with the deployment of our Infinite Kitchen and other restaurants related equipment. In addition we had cash outflow for fiscal year 2023 of $6.1 million related to purchase of intangible assets. For fiscal year 2022, cash used in investing activities was $102.0 million, an increase of $4.5 million compared to fiscal year 2021. Investing activities in fiscal year 2022 consisted primarily of purchases of property and equipment of $96.9 million related to 39 gross new restaurant openings (excluding tenant improvement allowances), restaurants in process, renovations, and prepayments associated with restaurants related equipment. In addition, we had a cash outflow for fiscal year 2022 of $5.4 million related to the purchase of intangible assets. For fiscal year 2021, cash used in investing activities was $97.5 million. Investing activities in fiscal year 2021 consisted primarily of purchases of property and equipment of $84.5 million related to 31 gross new restaurant openings (excluding tenant improvement allowances), restaurants in process, renovations, and prepayments associated with restaurants related equipment. In addition, we had a cash outflow for fiscal year 2021 of $8.2 million related to purchase of intangibles assets, $3.3 million, net of cash acquired, related to the acquisition of Spyce and $1.7 million related to lease acquisition costs. Financing Activities For fiscal year 2023, cash (used in) provided by financing activities i ncreased $9.8 million compared to fiscal year 2022, primarily due to the $10.4 million Spyce milestone true-up payment, offset by an in crease in proceeds received from stock option exercises of $0.6 million. For fiscal year 2022, cash provided by financing activities decreased $527.0 million compared to fiscal year 2021, primarily due to net proceeds of $384.7 million from sales of our shares in the IPO received in fiscal year 2021, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses and proceeds received from the issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance cost, of $113.8 million. In addition, in fiscal year 2022 there was a decrease in proceeds received from stock option and warrant exercises of $21.3 million and a decrease in proceeds received from the repayment of previously issued related party loans of $5.2 million. Critical Accounting Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, as well as reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Our most significant estimates and judgments involve 81 Tab le o f Contents difficult, subjective, or complex judgements made by management. Actual results may differ from these estimates. To the extent that there are differences between our estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows will be affected. We believe that the accounting policies described below involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, these are the policies we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations. For further information, see Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Leases We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. Our material operating leases consist of restaurant locations and office space. Our leases generally have remaining terms of one to ten years and most include options to extend the leases for additional five-year periods. Generally, the lease term is the minimum of the noncancelable period of the lease or the lease term inclusive of reasonably certain renewal periods up to a term of 20 years. If the estimate of our reasonably certain lease term was changed, our rent expense could differ materially. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at time of lease inception. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of lease payments not yet paid. We made the policy election to combine lease and non-lease components, and we also consider fixed common area maintenance (“CAM”) part of our fixed future lease payments. Fixed CAM is also included in our operating lease liability. Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepayments, initial direct costs, lease incentives, and impairment of operating lease assets. To determine the present value of lease payments not yet paid, we estimate incremental borrowing rates corresponding to the reasonably certain lease term. As we have no outstanding debt, we estimate this rate based on prevailing financial market conditions, comparable company and credit analysis, and management judgment. If the estimate of our incremental borrowing rate was changed, our operating lease assets and liabilities could differ materially. Stock-Based Compensation We grant stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) to certain employees, as well as nonemployees (including directors and others who provide services to us) under our stock plans. We recognize compensation expense resulting from stock-based payments over the period for which the requisite services are provided. Stock Options We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of the stock options at the measurement date. The grant date is deemed to be the appropriate measurement date for stock options issued to employees and nonemployees. We have elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. The use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the use of subjective assumptions, including the following: • Fair Value of Common Stock —Prior to the IPO, the absence of an active market for our common stock requires us to estimate the fair value of our common stock. See the subsection titled “Common Stock Valuations” below. For valuations completed subsequent to the IPO, our board of directors determines the fair value of each share of underlying Class A common stock based on the closing price of our Class A common stock as reported on the date immediately preceding the of grant. • Risk-Free Interest Rate —The yield on actively traded non-inflation indexed U.S. Treasury notes with the same maturity as the expected term of the underlying options was used as the average risk-free interest rate. • Expected Term —The expected term of options granted to employees was determined based on management’s expectations of the options granted, which are expected to remain outstanding. The 82 Tab le o f Contents expected term for options granted to nonemployees is equal to the remaining contractual life of the options. Where appropriate, we calculated the expected term using the simplified method for “plain vanilla” stock option awards. • Expected Volatility —There is no substantive share price history to calculate volatility and, as such, we have elected to use an approximation based on the volatility of other comparable public companies, which compete directly with us, over the expected term of the options. • Dividend Yield —We have not issued regular dividends on common shares in the past nor do we expect to issue dividends in the future. As such, the dividend yield has been estimated to be zero. We will continue to use judgment in evaluating the expected volatility and expected terms utilized in our stock-based compensation expense calculations on a prospective basis. As we continue to accumulate additional data related to our common stock, we may refine our estimates, which could materially impact our future stock-based compensation expense. Additionally, had we arrived at different assumptions of stock price volatility or expected lives of our stock options, our stock-based compensation expense and results of operations may be materially different. For additional information concerning certain of the specific assumptions we used in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of our stock options granted in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022, see Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Restricted Stock Units The fair value of RSUs is estimated based on the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant. Estimating the grant date fair value of the common stock underlying RSU grants prior to our IPO was highly judgmental due to the lack of an observable market for our common stock. Prior to our IPO, the fair value of the Company’s common stock was determined by considering a number of objective and subjective factors including: contemporaneous third-party valuations of our common stock, sales of our redeemable convertible preferred stock to outside investors in arms-length transactions (including our IPO), the Company’s operating and financial performance, the lack of marketability, and the general and industry-specific economic outlook, amongst other factors. Estimating the grant date fair value of the RSUs, including the PSUs discussed below, was highly sensitive due to the volume of RSUs granted and increasing fair value of our common stock as we approached our IPO. With the exception of the PSUs discussed below, the RSUs granted prior to November 2021 vest upon the satisfaction of both a service-based vesting condition and a liquidity event-related performance vesting condition. The fair value of RSUs is recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period, using the accelerated attribution method, once the liquidity event-related performance vesting condition becomes probable of being achieved. The service-based vesting condition is generally satisfied by the award holder providing services to us over a four-year period. The liquidity event-related performance vesting condition was satisfied upon the effectiveness of our IPO registration statement. Stock-based compensation expense for RSUs that had not met the service-based vesting condition as of December 26, 2021 will be recorded over the remaining requisite service period. Subsequent to November 2021, we have only granted RSUs that vest upon the satisfaction of a service-based vesting condition and the compensation expense for these RSUs is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Had the assumptions used in the fair value estimates changed, our-stock based compensation expense and results of operations may be materially different. Subsequent to our IPO, the fair value of our RSUs is based on the stock price on the day immediately preceding the date of grant, there is no longer a level of judgment involved that could impact the fair value or expense incurred. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units In October 2021, we granted 2,100,000 PSUs to each of our three founders (“founder PSUs”). The founder PSUs vest in seven separate tranches, upon the satisfaction of a service condition and the achievement of certain stock price goals. We estimated the grant date fair value of the founder PSUs using a model based on multiple stock price paths developed through the use of a Monte Carlo simulation that incorporates into the valuation the possibility that the stock price goals may not be satisfied. A Monte Carlo simulation model requires the use of various assumptions, including the underlying stock price, volatility, expiration term, and the risk-free interest rate as of the valuation date, corresponding to the length of time remaining in the performance period, 83 Tab le o f Contents and expected dividend yield. The derived service period calculation also requires the cost of equity assumption to be used in the Monte Carlo simulation model. Term and volatility are typically the primary drivers of this valuation. The average grant date fair value of the founder PSUs were estimated to be $16.35 per share, and we will recognize total stock-based compensation expense of approximately $103.0 million over the derived service period of each of the seven performance tranches. If the stock price goals are met sooner than the derived service period, we will adjust our stock-based compensation expense to reflect the cumulative expense associated with the vested award. Provided that each founder individually stays employed with Sweetgreen, we will recognize stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period, regardless of whether the stock price goals are achieved. Had we arrived at different assumptions of underlying stock price or volatility our stock-based compensation expense and results of operations may be materially different. During fiscal year 2023, we recor ded $49.5 million of stock-based compensation expense. During fiscal year 2022, we recorded $78.7 million of stock based compensation expense. Common Stock Valuations Prior to our IPO, given the absence of a public trading market for our common stock, and in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Accounting and Valuation Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation (the Practice Aid), our board of directors exercised its reasonable judgment and considered numerous objective and subjective factors to determine the best estimate of fair value of our common stock, including: • independent third-party valuations of our common stock; • the prices at which we sold shares of our preferred stock; • the rights, preferences and privileges of our preferred stock relative to those of our common stock; • our capital resources and financial condition; • the likelihood and timing of achieving a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering or sale of the company, given prevailing market conditions; • our historical operating and financial performance as well as our estimates of future financial performance; • valuations of comparable companies; • the hiring of key personnel; • the relative lack of marketability of our common stock; • industry information such as market growth and volume and macro-economic events; and • additional objective and subjective factors relating to our business. The Practice Aid identifies various available methods for allocating enterprise value across classes and series of capital stock to determine the estimated fair value of common stock at each valuation date. In accordance with the Practice Aid, for our valuations performed throughout fiscal year 2020, we concluded the Option Pricing Method (OPM) was the most appropriate method for determining the fair value of our common stock given our stage of development and other relevant factors. Under the OPM, shares are valued by creating a series of call options with exercise prices based on the liquidation preferences and conversion terms of each equity class. The estimated fair values of the preferred and common stock are inferred by analyzing these options. In accordance with the Practice Aid, for our valuations performed after December 27, 2020, we concluded the Probability-Weighted Expected Return Method (PWERM) was the most appropriate method for determining the fair value of our common stock given our stage of development and other relevant factors. The PWERM is a scenario-based analysis that estimates value per share based on the probability-weighted present value of expected future investment returns, considering each of the possible outcomes available to us, as well as the economic and control rights of each share class. The assumptions underlying these valuations represent our board of directors’ best estimates at the time they were made, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of the judgment of our board of directors. 84 Tab le o f Contents As a result, if factors or expected outcomes change and we use significantly different assumptions or estimates, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different. Subsequent to the IPO, our board of directors determines the fair market value of our Class A common stock based on its closing price as reported on the date of grant on the New York Stock Exchange. As a result, no common stock valuation was required during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Impairment and Closure Costs Long-lived assets are reviewed for recoverability at the lowest level in which there are identifiable cash flows (asset group). The asset group is at the store-level for restaurant assets and the corporate-level for corporate assets. The carrying amount of a store asset group includes stores’ property and equipment, primarily leasehold improvements and operating lease assets. Long-lived assets, including property and equipment, operating lease assets, and internally developed software, are reviewed by management for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be fully recoverable. When events or circumstances indicate that impairment may be present, we evaluate the probability that future undiscounted net cash flows received will be less than the carrying amount of the asset group. If projected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of an asset group, then such assets are written down to their fair values. We use a discounted cash flows model to measure the fair value of an asset group. An impairment charge will be recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the store asset group exceeds its fair value. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the model to forecast operating cash flows, which are largely unobservable inputs and, accordingly, are classified as Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. Assumptions used in these forecasts are consistent with internal planning, and include revenue growth rates, gross margins, and operating expense in relation to the current economic environment and our incremental borrowing rate, future expectations, competitive factors in its various markets, inflation, revenue trends and other relevant economic factors that may impact the store under evaluation. Any material changes in the sum of our undiscounted cash flow estimates resulting from different assumptions used as of December 31, 2023 for those store asset groups included in our evaluation could result in a material change in the long-lived asset impairment charge for fiscal year 2023. If actual performance does not achieve the projections, or if the assumptions used change in the future, we may be required to recognize impairment charges in future periods, and such charges could be material. Our projections are estimates, which could vary significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from actual results if future economic conditions, consumer demand and competitive environments differ from our expectations. At this time, we do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions that we use to calculation our impairment charge. The Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $4.3 million and $15.0 million during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the entire $4.3 million balance was related to the operating lease asset for the Company’s former Sweetgreen Support Center previously vacated during fiscal year 2022, and was recorded under restructuring charges within the consolidated statement of operations. During the fiscal year ended December 25, 2022, the amount of impairment charges related to the vacated Sweetgreen Support Center’s property and equipment and operating lease assets was $6.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively, and was recorded in restructuring charges within the consolidated statement of operations. The amount of impairment associated with certain store locations' property and equipment and operating lease assets was $2.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and was recorded in impairment and closure costs within the consolidated statement of operations. Intangible Assets – Acquired in Business Combinations We perform valuations of assets acquired and liabilities assumed on each acquisition accounted for as a business combination and allocate the purchase price of each acquired business to our respective net tangible and intangible assets. Acquired intangible assets include developed technology. We use valuation techniques to value these intangible assets, with the primary technique being the replacement cost method. The replacement cost method requires us to make various assumptions and estimates including level of workforce and time required to recreate existing technology, projected overhead, profit margins, and opportunity costs. Intangible 85 Tab le o f Contents assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed. Contingent Consideration Due to certain conversion features, the contingent consideration issued as part of the Spyce acquisition is considered a liability in accordance with ASC 480. For additional information, see Note 6 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K . The liability associated with the contingent consideration is initially recorded at fair value upon issuance date and is subsequently re-measured to fair value at each reporting date. For additional information, see Note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The initial fair value of the liability for the contingent consideration was $16.4 million and was included as part of the purchase price for the Spyce acquisition. The contingent consideration as of December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022 wa s $8.4 million a nd $21.3 million, respectively. Additionally, we recorded the current portion of the contingent consideration of $6.0 million within other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet within this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Changes in fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized within other expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Recent Accounting Pronouncements See Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of the date of this report. ITEM 7A. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK We have operations solely within the United States, and we are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. The primary risks we face are commodity price risks, interest rate risk, effects of inflation, and macroeconomic risks. Commodity Price Risks We are exposed to commodity price risks. Many of the ingredients we use to prepare our food, as well as our packaging materials and utilities to run our restaurants, are ingredients or commodities that are affected by the price of other commodities, exchange rates, inflation, foreign demand, weather, seasonality, production, availability and other factors outside our control. We work closely with our suppliers and use a mix of forward pricing protocols under which we agree with our supplier on fixed prices for deliveries at some time in the future, fixed pricing protocols under which we agree on a fixed price with our supplier for the duration of that protocol, formula pricing protocols under which the prices we pay are based on a specified formula related to the prices of the goods, such as spot prices, and range forward protocols under which we agree on a price range for the duration of that protocol. Generally, our pricing agreements with suppliers range from one to three years, depending on the outlook for prices of the particular ingredient. In some cases, we have minimum purchase obligations. We have tried to increase, where practical, the number of suppliers for our ingredients, which we believe can help mitigate pricing volatility, and we follow industry news, trade issues, exchange rates, foreign demand, weather, crises, and other world events that may affect our ingredient prices. Increases in ingredient prices could adversely affect our results if we choose for competitive or other reasons not to increase menu prices at the same rate at which ingredient costs increase, or if menu price increases result in customer resistance. We also could experience shortages of key ingredients if our suppliers need to close or restrict operations due to unforeseen events. Due to the recent pace of inflation and other global supply chain risks, including extreme weather conditions, suppliers and distributors have, and could continue to, attempt to renegotiate our existing contracts to increase prices, as well as assess certain fuel surcharges. These changes could have a negative impact on our commodity prices. For example, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022, as a result of extreme weather conditions, we experienced supply chain disruptions for key ingredients, such as romaine, arugula and 86 Tab le o f Contents tomatoes, which resulted in higher prices for those products or result in temporarily discontinuing those products in certain geographic markets. Additionally, since the beginning of 2023, we have been experiencing supply chain disruptions for our bowls and plates which has resulted in use of alternative packaging solutions. We continue to assess the current environment, work with our suppliers and distributors and create certain contingency plans to mitigate any negative impact. Changing Interest Rates We are exposed to interest rate risk through fluctuations of interest rates on our investments through our cash in our money market accounts. Changes in interest rates affect the interest income we earn, and therefore impact our cash flows and results of operations. As of December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022, we ha d $257.2 million and $331.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, respectively, consisting of bank accounts and money market funds, and $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, o f restricted cash relating to certificates of deposit that are collateral for letters of credit to our lease agreements and cash from the Spyce acquisition. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes and have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure. Due to the short-term nature of our investments, we have not been exposed to, nor do we anticipate being exposed to, material risks due to changes in interest rates. A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would not have had a material impact on our results of operations for fiscal years 2023 and 2022. Effects of Inflation We have a substantial number of hourly employees who are paid wage rates at or based on the applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage, and increases in the minimum wage, and other upward pressure on wage rates, including inflation will increase our labor costs. While we have been able to partially offset inflation and other changes in the costs of core operating resources by gradually increasing menu prices, coupled with more efficient purchasing practices, productivity improvements and greater economies of scale, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so in the future, particularly if inflation continues to increase at its recent pace. From time to time, competitive conditions could limit our menu pricing flexibility. In addition, macroeconomic conditions could make additional menu price increases imprudent. There can be no assurance that future cost increases can be offset by increased menu prices or that increased menu prices will be fully absorbed by our customers without any resulting change to their visit frequencies or purchasing patterns. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will generate positive Same Store Sales Change in an amount sufficient to offset inflationary or other cost pressures. Macroeconomic Risks Current macroeconomic conditions, such as inflation and higher interest rates, increase the risk of an economic downturn. An economic downturn could increase unemployment and lower consumer confidence. Macroeconomic conditions also negatively impact consumer discretionary spending and could negatively impact our Restaurant Level Profit. 87 Tab le o f Contents