October 28, 2026

Sweetgreen Raises Manager Pay, Lululemon Agrees to Chemical Testing, Vaca Bets on Beef Tallow

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Sweetgreen raises manager pay

The fast-casual brand is raising total compensation for its top restaurant managers to as much as $200K a year starting in 2027. The package combines base salary, performance bonuses, and equity.

The move is part of a broader turnaround effort focused on improving store operations through better retention and training.

Facing sales declines, Sweetgreen is betting that stronger restaurant leadership can help pave a path towards growth.

lululemon settles Texas “forever chemicals” probe

The activewear brand has reached a three-year agreement with Texas’s attorney general over its use of PFAS, often called “forever chemicals.”

  • Under the agreement, lululemon will maintain chemical safety standards across its supply chain, with independent lab testing or valid third-party certifications for materials.
  • The state did not identify chemicals in lululemon’s products during its review. Moreover, the settlement carries no financial penalty and includes no admission of wrongdoing.

The case comes as consumers pay closer attention to the materials used in clothing marketed around health and performance. For apparel brands, substantiating chemical safety claims is becoming an important part of maintaining consumer trust.

Vaca bets on beef tallow

The tallow-fried tortilla chip maker raised $5.6M, adding to a $1.5M raise from the summer.

  • Leaning into organic and seed oil-free ingredients to bolster better-for-you claims, it joins a host of companies building beef tallow as a platform.
  • The trend has some consumer momentum behind it: 28% of consumers say they’re actively avoiding oils they consider unhealthy, while online searches for beef tallow are surging.

For Vaca, the opportunity is to turn that interest into a snack brand with beef tallow at the center of its pitch.

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