Sweetgreen adds fries to the menu at restaurants nationwide
Sweetgreen is putting its spin on a fast-food staple with the nationwide launch Tuesday of Ripple Fries — its first French fry product.
Why it matters: The fast-casual chain — which first gained a devoted lunch following among office workers over its salads — has been on an expansion spree since going public in 2021.
The chain, headquartered in Los Angeles, has been broadening its menu and opening restaurants beyond its traditional target area in central business districts.
The big picture: Sweetgreen says it's the first national brand to offer air-fried fries that are prepared without seed oils.
Ripple fries are made with five simple ingredients, including avocado oil, Nicolas Jammet, Sweetgreen co-founder and chief concept officer, told Axios.
The fries, which were tested in Los Angeles restaurants, come with a choice of two new housemade sauces: Garlic Aioli and Pickle Ketchup.
What they're saying:"As we look at our core categories of salads, bowls and plates — and more people engaging with Sweetgreen at dinner — we really got excited about a really craveable side dish or shareable that can sit next to those things," Jammet said.
"We didn't see any options in the national fast-food landscape that had fries that were a little more conscious," Jammet said, adding the company wanted to create a "product that actually made you feel good and that you could feel good about eating."
"This launch is another step forward in redefining what fast food can be," Jammet said.
Kelly's taste test: Sweetgreen gave Axios an early taste of the Ripple Fries and both sauces.
The crispy potatoes had the perfect amount of seasoning and the freshness shined through.
The pickle ketchup was my favorite sauce and the fries complimented my bowl.
Flashback: The first Sweetgreen opened in 2007 on M Street in Washington, D.C.
It's more than doubled its store count since the start of the pandemic, growing from 103 in early 2020 to more than 240 locations.
Last May, Sweetgreen added its first red meat option Caramelized Garlic Steak to the menu.
More from Axios:
Starbucks spring menu coming Tuesday as 13 drinks removed
Dunkin' dropping nondairy milk fee March 5
Denny's adds egg surcharge at some restaurants due to bird flu
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