If you‘re a fan of delicious salads and grain bowls made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, then you‘re probably familiar with Sweetgreen. This popular fast-casual restaurant chain has taken the country by storm with its mission to provide healthy, eco-friendly meals sourced from local farmers. And now, with the Sweetgreen app and referral program, it‘s easier than ever to enjoy their tasty creations while earning rewards.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about Sweetgreen‘s referral program. From how it works to where to find your unique code, you‘ll be ready to start sharing the Sweetgreen love and racking up the savings in no time. Let‘s dig in!
The Rise of Mobile Food Ordering
Before we dive into the specifics of Sweetgreen‘s app, it‘s worth noting just how prevalent mobile ordering has become in the restaurant industry. According to a recent report from eMarketer, food delivery app downloads hit a record high in March 2020, with year-over-year growth of 20%. And it‘s not just delivery that‘s gone digital – a 2020 survey found that 30% of consumers had used a mobile app to order food for pickup in the past 90 days.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated these trends, but experts predict that mobile ordering is here to stay. In fact, Business Insider Intelligence projects that the mobile order-ahead industry will be worth $38 billion by 2020.
For restaurants like Sweetgreen, having a user-friendly app with robust features and incentives is no longer a nice-to-have – it‘s table stakes for staying competitive in today‘s market. And as we‘ll see, Sweetgreen‘s app and referral program go above and beyond to deliver value to customers.
How the Sweetgreen App and Referral Program Work
The Sweetgreen app offers a seamless experience for browsing the menu, customizing your order, and earning rewards. Here are some of the key features:
- Menu Customization: With the app, you can easily customize your salad, bowl or plate to your liking. Add or remove ingredients, choose your dressing, and even save your creations for future orders.
- Mobile Ordering: Place your order for pickup or delivery directly through the app, and track its status in real-time. You can also schedule orders in advance for a convenient lunch or dinner.
- Contact-Free Pickup: For added safety and convenience, Sweetgreen offers contact-free pickup at select locations. Just check the "contact-free" box when placing your mobile order, and your food will be waiting for you on a designated pickup shelf.
- Exclusive App Perks: The app gives you access to exclusive menu items, as well as special offers and discounts. You‘ll also get a birthday reward each year, and can easily track your progress toward earning $10 in Sweetgreen credit for every $100 you spend.
But perhaps the most enticing feature of Sweetgreen‘s app is the referral program. When you refer a friend using your unique link and they make their first purchase of $20 or more, you‘ll both receive a $7 credit to use on your next order.
You can refer up to 10 friends per year, earning up to $70 in credits. And there‘s no limit to how many people can use your link – the more you share, the more you earn!
Why Referral Programs Work
Referral programs like Sweetgreen‘s are a powerful tool for driving user acquisition and engagement. By incentivizing existing customers to bring in new ones, businesses can tap into the power of word-of-mouth marketing while also rewarding loyalty.
The psychology behind referral programs is simple but effective. When we receive a recommendation from a friend or family member, we‘re more likely to trust that recommendation and take action. A study by Nielsen found that 83% of consumers trust recommendations from people they know, making referrals the most credible form of advertising.
What‘s more, referred customers tend to be more valuable over time. According to a study by the Wharton School, referred customers have a 16% higher lifetime value than non-referred customers.
For a business like Sweetgreen that relies on repeat business and customer loyalty, a referral program is a smart way to acquire high-quality customers and keep them coming back. And the fact that referral credits can only be redeemed through the app further incentivizes customers to download and engage with the platform.
How to Find Your Sweetgreen Referral Code
Now that you know how the referral program works and why it‘s so effective, you‘re probably eager to start sharing your link. Here‘s how to find your unique referral code in the Sweetgreen app:
- Open the app and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner
- Tap "Refer Friends, Get $7"
- On the referral screen, you‘ll see your unique link. Tap "Share" to send it via text message, email, or social media.
You can also find your link by going to the Menu tab and selecting "Refer a Friend" from the dropdown list. Your link will be waiting there for you to copy and share.
Making the Most of Sweetgreen‘s Menu
While the referral program is a great reason to download the Sweetgreen app, the real star of the show is the food. Sweetgreen‘s menu features a rotating selection of seasonal salads, bowls, plates and sides, all made with high-quality, sustainable ingredients.
Some of the most popular items include:
- Harvest Bowl: A hearty mix of roasted chicken, kale, apples, sweet potatoes and goat cheese with a balsamic vinaigrette
- Guacamole Greens: A zesty blend of avocado, roasted chicken, black beans, tomatoes and tortilla chips with a lime cilantro jalapeno vinaigrette
- Fish Taco Bowl: Roasted steelhead trout with arugula, quinoa, cabbage slaw and tortilla chips in a chipotle lime dressing
- Chicken Pesto Parm: A savory combination of roasted chicken, spinach, parmesan crisps and pesto vinaigrette
But the menu is just the beginning. With the app‘s customization features, you can create your ideal meal every time. Have a dietary restriction or food sensitivity? Sweetgreen has you covered with detailed nutrition and allergen information for every item.
Sweetgreen also offers a selection of Plates and Collections designed for specific tastes and needs. The Plates menu includes heartier entrees like the Hot Honey Chicken Plate and the Herby Fish Plate, while Collections feature curated assortments like the Keto Collection and the Vegan Collection.
Supporting Local Farmers and Sustainable Practices
One of the things that sets Sweetgreen apart from other fast-casual chains is its commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. The company partners with over 500 farmers across the country to bring the freshest, most nutrient-dense ingredients to its customers.
But Sweetgreen‘s impact goes beyond just serving great food. By supporting local farmers and using eco-friendly packaging, the company is helping to build a more sustainable food system for all.
Some of Sweetgreen‘s key sustainability initiatives include:
- Local Sourcing: Sweetgreen works with small and mid-size growers in each market to source produce at the peak of freshness. This not only supports local economies, but also reduces transportation emissions and helps preserve biodiversity.
- In-Store Composting: All Sweetgreen locations have composting bins for food scraps, which are then donated to local farmers or composting facilities. In 2019 alone, Sweetgreen composted over 1 million pounds of food waste.
- Plant-Based Packaging: Sweetgreen uses 100% plant-based packaging for all of its bowls, utensils and straws. The materials are fully compostable and biodegradable, reducing the company‘s environmental footprint.
- Carbon Labeling: In 2020, Sweetgreen became the first national restaurant chain to introduce carbon labels on its menu. The labels show the estimated greenhouse gas emissions associated with each item, helping customers make more informed and sustainable choices.
By choosing Sweetgreen and participating in its referral program, you‘re not just getting a great meal – you‘re supporting a company that‘s working to make a positive impact on the planet.
Sweetgreen‘s Social Media Game
In addition to its sustainability efforts, Sweetgreen has also built a strong brand through savvy social media marketing. With over 600,000 followers on Instagram and partnerships with influencers and celebrities, the company has cultivated a loyal fanbase that‘s eager to spread the word.
One of Sweetgreen‘s most successful social media campaigns was the "Make Your Own" challenge, which encouraged customers to create and share their custom bowl creations on Instagram. The campaign generated thousands of user-generated posts and helped drive app downloads and engagement.
Sweetgreen also uses social media to showcase its farmers and suppliers, giving customers a behind-the-scenes look at where their food comes from. By humanizing the brand and emphasizing transparency, Sweetgreen has built trust and loyalty among its followers.
Of course, having a generous referral program doesn‘t hurt either. By incentivizing customers to share their love for Sweetgreen on social media, the company has created a virtuous cycle of word-of-mouth growth.
Comparing Sweetgreen‘s Referral Program to Other Apps
While Sweetgreen‘s $7 referral bonus is certainly generous, it‘s not the only food app offering rewards for sharing. Here‘s how some other popular apps stack up:
| App | Referral Bonus | Minimum Spend | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetgreen | $7 for referrer and referee | $20 | 30 days |
| Chipotle | Free entree for referrer, $10 off for referee | $5 | 30 days |
| Panera Bread | $5 for referrer | $5 | 30 days |
| Chopt | $5 for referrer and referee | $5 | 60 days |
As you can see, Sweetgreen‘s referral bonus is on the higher end, but it also has a higher minimum spend requirement than some other apps. The 30-day expiration is also fairly standard across the board.
Ultimately, the best referral program for you will depend on your personal preferences and purchasing habits. If you‘re a frequent Sweetgreen customer who loves sharing your go-to orders with friends, the $7 bonus can add up quickly. But if you‘re more of an occasional user, a lower minimum spend like Chopt‘s might be more appealing.
Start Spreading the Sweetgreen Love
We hope this deep dive into Sweetgreen‘s referral program has left you feeling inspired to start sharing the love. Whether you‘re a longtime fan or a new convert, the app makes it easy to earn rewards while enjoying some of the tastiest, most sustainable food around.
So what are you waiting for? Download the app, customize your perfect bowl, and start referring friends. Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you.
