Staffing

Sweetgreen taps former Starbucks tech guru as CTO

Sweetgreen has hired Wouleta Ayele as chief technology officer. Provided

August 16, 2021

Sweetgreen has hired Wouleta Ayele as chief technology officer to scale its supply chain model, advance restaurant operations, acquire talent and develop digital platforms.

"As we continue to scale and think about what the future of fast food will look like, the technology powering Sweetgreen plays an integral part in creating efficiencies and providing our guests with the best experience possible," Sweetgreen Co-founder and CEO Jonathan Neman said in a company press release. "Wouleta has the experience, savviness, and leadership to help us make that vision a reality."

Wouleta comes to Sweetgreen following a 16-year career at Starbucks, where she held numerous positions within the technology department, most recently serving as the senior vice president of Starbucks Technology Services. Prior to her tenure at Starbucks, Wouleta held positions with Coca-Cola, Hyundai, Attachmate Corporation and Ciba-Geigy pharmaceutical.

"Sweetgreen is a truly innovative company that is paving the way for a healthier future," Ayele said in the release. "The way that they approach the intersection of food and tech is unlike any other restaurant brand out there."

Founded in 2007, Sweetgreen has over 130 restaurants.