• by Teresa Buyikian , August 21, 2023

Today Sweetgreen announced additions to its leadership team, appointing Michael Kotick vice president and head of marketing, and Chad Brauze head of culinary. Both executives formerly worked for Chipotle.

Jonathan Neman, Sweetgreen’s co-founder and chief executive officer, commented that the executives were hired for their “deep experience in menu innovation and marketing, combined with … scaling businesses and pushing boundaries.”

Kotick most recently served as Chipotle’s senior director of brand marketing. In that role he was responsible for purpose-driven marketing through national campaigns, brand and sustainability actions, menu and product innovation, digital marketing, loyalty program growth and in-restaurant experience. Prior to Chipotle, Kotik spent eight years as an executive at Nestlé, working on Nestle's natural food brands along with Purina and as global head of digital and social media of PetCare.

Kotick will report to Sweetgreen co-founder and Chief Brand Officer Nathaniel Ru.

Brauze joined Sweetgreen after serving as senior director of culinary innovation and sustainability at Burger King, where he was primarily in charge of overseeing the core menu and limited-time food programs. Previously, he worked as director of culinary and menu development at Chipotle.

The Los Angeles-based fast-casual chain Sweetgreen specializes in whole, local ingredients in its healthy bowls and salads. The chain’s new hires come on the heels of several announced new Midwest and East Coast locations such as: Bloomington, Indiana; Long Island, NY and Morristown, New Jersey.

Los Angeles-based fast-casual Sweetgreen currently has over 200 locations in the U.S. The chain also recently announced its expansion into the snacking arena with a new collab with Siete Foods for its first chip flavor, Green Goddess Ranch Potato Chips with a Hint of Poblano. The chips are sold in Sweetgreen locations nationwide.