Good Morning! 

This week was my monthly segment on The BBQ Central Show. Unfortunately, another commitment kept me from chatting with Greg Rempe, so my segment didn’t happen. Tune in though to hear Steven Raichlen talk about being part of a barbecue festival in Abu Dhabi.

Fast Company released their List of Innovative Companies for 2024. Solo Brands and Traeger both made the list from the live fire industry. For Traeger it was because of their new products in 2023, while Solo Brands found innovation through acquisition with TerraFlame.

We covered last week that Solo Stove was moving on from their media agency. This week they announced that PMG will be their new media Agency of Record. They’ll be responsible for the brand’s full-funnel media efforts.

Sponsored By Franklin Barbecue Pits

Franklin Barbecue Pits, designed by famed Pit Master Aaron Franklin are built from heavy duty USA steel and made by craftsmen right here in the USA. For BBQ beginners and pros alike, its design and construction make it one of the best offset smokers for the backyard. And it will last for generations. Get yours at a BBQ dealer near you, or direct from Franklin if you don’t have a local dealer near you. We love and support local businesses, so if you’re a BBQ dealer that wants to carry Franklin BBQ Pit, please reach out!

The Good Charcoal Company has partnered with the most well-known butcher, Pat LaFrieda. In a creative distribution model, restaurants will be able to buy The Good Charcoal with their meat order. It offers customers high quality charcoal, while giving The Good Charcoal more distribution beyond traditional retail.

Academy Sports reported earnings this week and updated their store expansion strategy. The overall economics of their strategy are largely preserved, but they’re applying some lessons learned. They plan to focus more on smaller and midsized markets, open stores earlier in the year, and open stores in clusters.

A new portable pellet grill is coming out that is more compact without sacrificing grilling space. Called Fold ‘n’ Go, it has a unique design where the cook chamber can fold down when it’s not in use. The grill is battery operated and weighs less than other portable pellet grills.

Large international garden and BBQ trade show, spoga+gafa is happening this summer in Cologne, Germany. They’ve reported that they’re exhibition space is 96% booked. The exhibitors come from all over the world, but they’re seeing an increase in the mix of companies from Europe and North America.

Finally, I reviewed the Solo Stove Tower, a pellet fueled patio heater. It was easy to use and delivered quite a bit of heat and ambiance. I’d recommend it for anyone looking to make the outdoors more comfortable in these temperature transitional months.

Thanks for Reading! Go Green!

Wes Wright

Founder and CEO

Key Events Next Week

• The National Hardware Show runs from the 26th to the 28th in Las Vegas

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Sponsored By Big Green Egg

At Big Green Egg, we’re not just the best Kamado grill on the market; we are a lifestyle brand dedicated to enhancing outdoor entertaining. The Big Green Egg believes in bringing families, friends and neighbors together to cook over live-fire. Our “EGGhead” community of loyal fans create memories with the delicious and diverse food they can prepare on their Eggs. 

With a rich 50-year history and a strong presence as an iconic brand in the outdoor kitchen industry, we are committed to providing our customers with premium products and a seamless experience, both online and offline. And we are now hiring for our headquarters location in Atlanta!

We offer a fun work environment, with lots of food and BBQ (of course!), as well as competitive benefits, including a 401(k) match, medical and life insurance, to name a few. More detail on open roles in links below and/or click on this link to apply. 

CRM/Loyalty Strategist; Culinary Engagement Strategist; Senior Accountant;