In an effort to expand its reach beyond the four walls of its restaurants, Sweetgreen announced that it bought Galley Foods. This marks the first acquisition for the salad fast-casual company. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We’re both companies with D.C. roots, and we’re like-minded in our mission and in our commitment to our customers to better understand them and meet them wherever they are,” Sweetgreen cofounder and CEO Jonathan Neman said in a statement. “It’s with this mutual thinking, and Galley Foods’ unparalleled insight into delivery, that we look forward to welcoming Alan and his team.” Alan Clifford is CEO of Galley Foods.
Sweetgreen was started in 2007 in D.C. by three Georgetown University students before moving its headquarters to Los Angeles in 2016.
Using Galley Foods’ network, technology, and live courier operations, Sweetgreen will be able to expand its off-premises presence.
“As a health-focused brand that was also homegrown in Washington, D.C., we’ve admired Sweetgreen since its start,” Clifford said in a statement. “It’s a company that, since its inception, has paved the way for change in the restaurant industry and inspired other brands to challenge the way they think about connecting people to food.”
Clifford will join Sweetgreen’s leadership as the vice president of Logistics. Galley Foods will continue to operate in D.C. The company plans on leveraging Sweetgreen’s supply chain in the region, which means Galley drivers will be delivering Sweetgreen products very soon, Clifford said in a letter to customers on Galley’s website.
“Galley has deep expertise and technology around direct-to-customer delivery,” Clifford continued in the letter. “Sweetgreen has incredible food, an amazing brand, an incredible sourcing network, and a deep consumer following. We both focus on making healthy food more accessible.”
Sweetgreen also announced a partnership with Dreaming Out Loud, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit that works to build a healthy, equitable food system for marginalized community members across the city. This summer, Galley Foods and Sweetgreen will offer prepared meals featuring local ingredients to families participating in the CSA (community supported agriculture) program at The Kelly Miller Farm. The farm is a part of the urban farm program at Kelly Miller Middle School. “In July, over 50 households will receive family-style Galley meals, along with tips to create dinner at home with produce from their CSA boxes,” the company said in a statement.
