Sweetgreen technology debuting in Naperville lauded by Time mag

A forward-thinking take on food service that national restaurant chain Sweetgreen launched in Naperville earlier this year is one of Time magazine’s best inventions of 2023.

Sweetgreen’s “Infinite Kitchen,” a reimagined version of the fast-casual spot where orders are placed through computer kiosks and assembled by robots right in front of customers, is one of 200 inventions included on the annual list, released this week. The concept made its debut in downtown Naperville, at 223 S. Main St., in May.

“I’m incredibly proud of this one and the (Sweetgreen) team’s ability to look around corners and innovate,” Sweetgreen cofounder and CEO Jonathan Neman wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “While still early in our journey, this technology will be transformative for (Sweetgreen) and the industry.”

Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen specializes in healthy alternatives to fast food. To create Infinite Kitchen, the chain purchased kitchen robotics startup Spyce in 2021 and for a year and a half fine-tuned and adapted technology to test with customers and team members.

The work paid off.

The streamlined approach Sweetgreen found with Infinite Kitchen is what landed the company a nod on Time’s Best Inventions issue for 2023.

“The Sweetgreen Infinite Kitchen robotically assembles the salads and bowls Sweetgreen customers crave — up to 500 of them an hour, 50% faster than humans can,” the Oct. 24 issue reads.

From the time an order is placed to the point where it’s ready to be picked up, Sweetgreen avows it can churn out menu items in less than five minutes.

The process is as futuristic as it sounds. As can be seen with Naperville’s operation — the prototype for the restaurants that have since followed — it starts with an employee-less, kiosk-only ordering system. Then, once an order is placed, an earth-friendly bowl travels in a wire basket along a conveyor system where greens, dressing and vegetables, grains and toppings are evenly dispersed, tossed and sent to a finishing station. There, a Sweetgreen worker adds the final touches, such as a sprinkle of herbs or a scoop of avocado, before placing on the lid.

The first Infinite Kitchen opened in Naperville almost six months ago. Now, Sweetgreen aims to replicate the concept at all of its new outlets going forward. Infinite Kitchen’s success so far — particularly with Naperville’s pilot — also earned praise in Time’s best inventions issue this year.

[ Robot salad making: Customers can watch machine make meals at Naperville’s new Sweetgreen restaurant ]

“A trial run in the company’s Naperville, Ill., outlet exceeded sales expectations, and sparked a second trial in Huntington Beach, Calif., later this year,” the magazine wrote.

On behalf of Sweetgreen, Neman thanked Time on X for its recognition.

“Thank you TIME for the incredible honor,” he wrote, “this is truly just the beginning of what we can do.”

tkenny@chicagotribune.com

Originally Published: Oct 27, 2023 at 1:35 pm