Sweetgreen lowered its full-year outlook after a cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce hurt demand, costing an estimated 600 basis points in July comparable sales. The company now expects same-store sales to decline between 7 and 8 percent for the full year, with the disruption reducing full-year comps by 200 to 300 basis points, restaurant-level margin by 100 to 150 basis points, and adjusted EBITDA by $7 million to $10 million. Second-quarter same-store sales fell 6.2 percent, an improvement from the first quarter, driven by the launch of lower-priced wraps that boosted transactions but pressured average check. CEO Jonathan Neman said wraps have held at about a 20 percent incidence rate and are margin-neutral, while the chain focuses on improving throughput, marketing, and menu innovation to attract new customers.
Sweetgreen IncCyclospora outbreak hurt demand, lowering full-year outlook and comps
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