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Sweetgreen, the national restaurant chain specializing in healthy alternatives to fast food, has launched its innovative “Infinite Kitchen” concept in Naperville, Illinois earlier this year. This forward-thinking approach to food service has caught the attention of Time magazine, which included it in their prestigious list of the best inventions of 2023. Sweetgreen’s Infinite Kitchen is a reimagined fast-casual spot where orders are placed through computer kiosks and assembled by robots in front of customers.

The concept was first introduced in downtown Naperville and has garnered praise for its transformative use of technology in the food industry. Sweetgreen’s CEO, Jonathan Neman, expressed his pride in the company’s ability to innovate and look ahead. He believes that the Infinite Kitchen technology will have a significant impact on Sweetgreen and the industry as a whole.

To create the Infinite Kitchen, Sweetgreen acquired kitchen robotics startup Spyce in 2021. Over the span of a year and a half, they fine-tuned and adapted the technology to be tested with customers and team members. The result is a streamlined approach that allows Sweetgreen to assemble salads and bowls up to 50% faster than humans, with the ability to make 500 menu items per hour.

From the moment an order is placed, Sweetgreen promises to have the food ready in less than five minutes. The process begins with a kiosk-only ordering system, eliminating the need for employees to take orders. Once an order is placed, an earth-friendly bowl travels along a conveyor system where the ingredients are evenly distributed and mixed before being sent to a finishing station. At the finishing station, a Sweetgreen worker adds the final touches before placing the lid on the bowl.

The success of the Infinite Kitchen prototype in Naperville has led Sweetgreen to plan its implementation in all future outlets. The trial run in Naperville exceeded sales expectations and prompted a second trial in Huntington Beach, California later this year. Sweetgreen’s achievement has been recognized by Time magazine as a groundbreaking invention.

As Sweetgreen continues to revolutionize the food service industry with its innovative approach, they thank Time magazine for the recognition and express their excitement for what lies ahead.

Sources:
– Chicago Tribune (source article)

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