
US fast-casual restaurant chain Sweetgreen has appointed Jason Cochran as its new chief operating officer, effective from 5 May.
Reporting directly to Sweetgreen co-founder and CEO Jonathan Neman, Cochran will be responsible for overseeing field operations, operations services, and innovation.
Commenting on the appointment, Neman said: “Jason is a trusted and visionary leader with hands-on operational experience at growth-oriented brands. His strategic mindset, operational discipline, and ability to inspire teams make him uniquely positioned to help lead Sweetgreen into its next chapter of growth.
“Jason’s alignment with our mission and cultural fit is clear, and I’m incredibly excited to welcome him to the team as we continue scaling our impact across more communities.”
Cochran brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the restaurant and retail sectors.
He most recently served as CEO and board member of American West Restaurant Group, where he led growth and operational enhancements across hundreds of locations.

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By GlobalDataCochran was previously the vice president of operations services at Chipotle Mexican Grill, where he supported more than 3,000 restaurants and generated an annual revenue of $8.6bn.
On his appointment, Cochran commented: “I’m thrilled to join Sweetgreen at such a pivotal moment. I’ve long admired the brand’s mission, focus on real food, and commitment to operational excellence. I look forward to working alongside this talented team to scale the business, strengthen the culture, and deliver continued value for our customers, team members, and shareholders.”
Last month, the company opened its first restaurant in Richmond’s Carytown in Virginia.