Good Morning! 

Traeger has settled a lawsuit dating back to 2019 that alleged misleading advertising on their bags of pellets. It stemmed from having words like Mesquite on the bags when the pellets allegedly were alder and oak with mesquite "flavored" oil.

They admitted no wrongdoing in their $1.5 million settlement. Half of that money will go to court costs, attorneys and the plaintiffs. The other half will go to $3 coupons that will be given out in Utah and California.

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!

I was on The BBQ Central Show this week talking all about the recent merger announcement of Blackstone and Weber. I have over a dozen years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, so I love talking about this topic, and could go on and on about it.

Registration has opened for the National Hardware Show 2025. It's happening in Las Vegas on March 18th-20th. This year they've added Weber grilling classes as they continue to expand the outdoor cooking part of the expo.

Big news in the consumables space, McCormick is rumored to be buying Sauer Brands for over $1 billion. McCormick has a bunch of grilling products including Stubb's BBQ sauce and Grill Mates, while Sauer is most known for Duke's Mayo, but also has a widely distributed line of grill seasonings.

ORKA launched a Kickstarter for the first 4-in-1 thermometer. It's an instant read thermometer, has a wireless probe, a wired probe, and an infrared thermometer. My favorite feature is also the most low tech, it has an on-board flashlight.

Finally, Solo Brands has finished turning over their whole executive team since Chris Metz took over as CEO in January. The last remaining member from before then, their general counsel, put in his resignation.

Have a Wonderful Holiday!

Wes Wright

Founder and CEO

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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. 

Lead User Researcher; Distribution Center Order Fulfillment Coordinator; Senior Accountant; Event Activation Manager