South Los Angeles will soon have a fresh new dining option on campus, as Sweetgreen is set to open a location in the USC village this year. The fast-casual restaurant, which promotes sustainability and high-quality ingredients, will open a 3,196 square-foot place at 929 W Jefferson Blvd, Suite 1650.
“We are delighted to welcome Sweetgreen to USC Village,” Brian Wilson, executive director of USC Real Estate Development and Leasing said this Thursday in a USC lease announcement. “We have been following the growth and development of the concept for many years and were impressed by their strong commitment to sustainability and the variety of healthy food options they will provide to our community.”
For Sweetgreen, this opening marks a return to its roots. “Our journey started on a college campus with the goal of serving students fresh, high-quality meals they could feel good about,” Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of Sweetgreen said. “Seventeen years later, it’s incredible to come full circle and introduce our bowls, salads, and protein plates to the USC community.”
Since its founding, Sweetgreen has expanded to over 245 locations nationwide serving meals with organic, regenerative and locally sourced ingredients. The USC village location will feature one of the largest Sweetgreen restaurants in America with its signature menu of salads, warm bowls, protein plates and sides.
The announcement of Sweetgreen’s arrival has generated mixed reviews among USC students. While many expressed interest in a healthy dining option, others had differing experiences.
Molly Morouse, a sophomore studying business administration welcomed the news. “I love Sweetgreen so I’m very happy about that, kind of a Cava competitor though so that might be a little tough.” When asked what she would like to see in the USC village, she added, “I would honestly say Sweetgreen.”
One of the many reasons for the mixed reviews includes the location for the new Sweetgreen being in the place of the previous Greenleaf restaurant. Priyanka Vadrevu, a Junior communications major shared her perspective, “I was personally a really big fan of Greenleaf for a healthy option on campus.”
While some enjoy the new location opening, others would have liked to see something else in its place. “I would have preferred an In-N-Out since I’m a native Californian,” Rida Aijaz, a junior studying public relations, said.
Daya Asokan, a freshman studying harp performance, was just happy to have another new place to try out around the USC campus. “It’s good knowing there are more options on campus – that’s really exciting for me.” However, she added, “A sushi place would be so good.”
Sweetgreen’s arrival comes amid a period of change for the USC village, as some dining establishments have closed in the previous months. Stout Burger, Honeybird and Workshop Salon and Boutique are all on the list of places that have closed within the past couple of months. But new additions of Sephora, Fabletics and Yoboseyo Superette accompany the new salad restaurant.
While students have different perspectives on the swap, a revamped village is coming to USC soon. As the restaurant opens its doors, people can look forward to another nutritious dining option on campus with a growing focus on health and wellness. Whether it becomes a campus favorite or not is yet to be seen.