Bad Dawg marks 14 years as street-food brand expands vendor network and retail presence
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Bad Dawg, a Jamaican street-food brand best known for its sausages sold from mobile carts, is marking its 14th anniversary as it expands its vendor network and retail footprint across the island.
Launched with a vendor-based business model aimed at supporting small entrepreneurs, the brand has grown to include more than 18 vendors operating islandwide, a regular presence at major public events, and supermarket distribution.
Its product line has also expanded beyond its original sausage offerings to include streaky bacon.
Tina Hamilton, her husband Richard and their children made the Bad Dawg stall their first stop at Devon House
Company executives say the business was initially structured as a job-creation initiative, allowing operators to run independent carts with relatively low start-up costs.
“Initially, Bad Dawg was a job creation programme, intentionally designed to give people an opportunity to be their own boss,” said Alicia Bogues, head of regional development at CB Group, which brought the brand to market. She said the brand has since built a loyal customer base and become a regular feature at events and social gatherings.
Bogues added that Bad Dawg has become part of the informal food economy, alongside established street-food offerings such as pan chicken.
One vendor, Alicia Newman, said she and her husband invested in a Bad Dawg cart three years ago while seeking an additional source of income alongside their full-time jobs.
“We wanted a business we could run alongside our 9–5 jobs without heavy start-up costs,” Newman said. She said the couple now operates two carts, employs six people and plans to launch a third.
As consumer demand grew beyond events and roadside locations, the brand moved into retail distribution, making its products available for home consumption.
“Retail allows consumers to enjoy that same bold flavour at home, while we continue to protect the street culture that built the brand,” said Moiya Chin-Lyn, channel manager for retail experience at CB Foods.
Chin-Lyn said the introduction of streaky bacon was intended to broaden the brand’s use across different meal occasions.
Fourteen years after its launch, Bad Dawg continues to operate through a mix of street vending and formal retail channels, reflecting the growing commercialisation of Jamaica’s informal food sector.
