When you think of healthy fast-casual restaurants, Sweetgreen is probably one of the first that comes to mind. The company was founded on the belief that healthy food should be accessible to everyone, and they've been growing their business at an impressive rate ever since.

What's their secret? A big part of it is their successful digital sales strategy. 67% of their total revenue comes from digital channels, and they continue to invest in new and innovative ways to reach their customers online.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at Sweetgreen's digital sales strategy and see what we can learn from it.

Mobile-First Digital Strategy

Well, it started with their app. In 2016, only 30% of their sales came from digital transactions. But by Q4 2021, that number had jumped up to 67%.

What's even more impressive is that two-thirds of those sales are coming through the app. This means that a lot of people are using it to place orders and skip the line.

Sweetgreen's Digital Sales Strategy

The salad chain has been taking over the nation one storefront at a time. It turns out that their digital sales strategy is a big reason why they're so successful. How did they do it? By leveraging platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat to connect with their customers. They've also developed an app that lets you order and pay for your food ahead of time. It is something that other restaurants can learn from.

Why It Works

When you're looking to increase sales, there's no better way than to go digital. Sweetgreen knows this, and that's why their digital sales make up a whopping 67% of their revenue.

And it's no wonder—with online delivery, users can order whatever they want and have it delivered right to their door. Plus, payment is easy and you can keep track of your order history and favorites. They've also collected valuable consumer data from their digital channels. This data has helped them hone their digital strategy, and as a result, they've been able to reach more people online.

What's more, online ordering means that Sweetgreen doesn't have to invest in a physical location and can instead focus on growing their business. This has been a major contributing factor to their growth, with Q2 2022 seeing a 45% increase in revenue year-over-year. Margins have also increased to 18.5%, showing that going digital is a win-win for businesses and customers alike.

Conclusion

Sweetgreen has been a pioneer in the restaurant industry when it comes to digital sales. Their app has been a huge success. So, what can you learn from Sweetgreen's success? Here are a few key takeaways:

1. Make it easy for customers to order from you. Sweetgreen's app is easy to use, and it allows customers to order and pay for their food without having to wait in line.

2. Utilize technology to improve the customer experience. Sweetgreen's app includes features like nutritional information and maps of the nearest restaurants.

3. Promote your digital channels heavily. Sweetgreen has done a great job of promoting their app, and it's paid off in terms of sales.

If you're looking to improve your restaurant's digital sales, take a page from Sweetgreen's playbook and implement some of these strategies. You're sure to see results!