Sweetgreen is being sued over allegations of racism. Managers routinely used racial slurs against workers and the salad chain's eateries also routinely passed over hiring and promoting Black people, the lawsuit contends. "The suit is an expansion of a complaint filed in March by two people," per Patch. "It covers Sweetgreen locations in the Financial District, Greenwich Village, the Meatpacking District, Midtown, Upper East Side and Upper West Side, as well as names two general managers as defendants."

Quick-service restaurants and labor groups in California struck a deal preventing a ballot fight that could have topped $100 million in campaign spending. "Representatives of the restaurant industry secured an agreement to kill the controversial AB 257 (also known as the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act or the Fast Act) in exchange for accepting one of the bill’s key provisions, the creation of a panel to regulate wages and working conditions for fast-food restaurants," per QSR Magazine. "The deal also will increase the minimum wage for fast-food workers in the state to $20 an hour and eliminate a proposal …

Starbucks is facing a lawsuit over the lack of fruit in its Refreshers drinks, which are named for fruits. "Starbucks — arguing Refreshers are named for flavors not ingredients and customers confusion could be dispelled by any barista — filed to have the case dismissed, but Manhattan U.S. District Judge John Cronan ruled Monday it could continue," per Patch.com. 

The average age of Cadillac customers purchasing new vehicles currently stands at 54, down from nine years ago when it was 59.5. "While brand perception is undoubtedly a factor, so is price," per GM Autority. "Another factor is brand loyalty. Older buyers may rely on nostalgia when it comes to choosing their car brand of choice, while younger buyers may be more open to a variety of different brands."

Could it be the Barbie effect? Birkenstock Holding's revenue climbed 21% in the nine months that ended June 30. "A family-owned business that traces its roots back to 1774, Birkenstock’s trademark typically has been comfort rather than fashion," per Business of Fashion. "But it has also found favor among fashion aficionados, more so in recent weeks after one of its brands was featured in the blockbuster hit 'Barbie,' where Margot Robbie was seen donning a pair of pink Birkenstocks."

Texas is the latest state to drop the so-called "tampon tax," joining 23 other states in doing so. "Before the shift, Texas had classified period products, including pads, tampons, menstrual cups, discs and sponges, as optional or luxury items and applied a 6.25 percent tax," per The New York Times. "Opponents of the tampon tax have long claimed that because other items — like contact lenses and over-the-counter medications in most states — are categorized as necessary and therefore sold tax-free, the tax on period products is discriminatory against those who menstruate."

Sephora has named Artemis Patrick, a 17-year veteran at the company, to lead its North American operations effective Oct. 2, replacing Jean-André Rougeot, who retires in April. Patrick is currently global chief merchandising officer. She is "credited with launching the Sephora at Kohl’s partnership, running the Sephora inside J.C. Penney business during its most profitable years, building out categories like inclusive foundation and clean beauty, and leading Sephora to be the first retailer to sign the 15 Percent Pledge," per Retail Dive. 

Former Peloton CEO John Foley has landed at a new startup, the rug company Ernesta, along with other top former Peloton execs -- Hisao Kushi, who serves as chief legal officer, and CTO Yony Feng—both of whom cofounded Peloton with Foley. "With interior design, Foley sees a rare opportunity—a category in which consumer interest is elevated, thanks to a decade of shows like Fixer Upper on HGTV, but investment in technology and innovation has been low," per Fast Company. "Plus, the price points are relatively high. At Ernesta, during beta testing, the average rug sold for around $2,000, though …

Consumers won't be impacted by the United Auto Workers strike unless it drags on for many weeks, according to experts. Most dealers have vehicles on hand to sell for a few weeks, and the current strike plans will initially impact only some of their product lines, said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive. The strike’s impact will be nothing like the COVID pandemic and the computer chip shortages that largely shut down the entire U.S. auto industry in recent years, he told CNN. 

A man in San Francisco recently made his displeasure with the city’s fleet of Cruise autonomous vehicle taxis known when he attacked an empty vehicle with a hammer. The incident was captured on video by a nearby resident and posted to social media. The attack comes as the company, in which General Motors has an 80% interest, looks to expand the vehicles to other cities. "Cruise is now estimated to be racking up 1 million driverless miles per month with its AV fleet," per GM Authority.