In Kingston, Jamaica, the food company Bad Dawg has successfully expanded its presence by implementing a vendor-focused distribution approach that enables entrepreneurial opportunities across the country. Initiated in 2012 with a single food cart, the initiative now comprises 18 independently operated carts managed by vendors in multiple parishes, under the guidance of the parent company CB Foods.
Initially aimed at job creation, this program has evolved to support vendors as small business owners who manage daily operations while benefiting from branding support, training, and logistics provided by the company. Nicole Hall, CB Foods’ senior manager for commercial marketing, emphasizes the model’s importance in offering individuals the chance to be self-employed, helping them develop meaningful ventures. Some participants have expanded, such as Shauna Lee McCalla, who operates two carts and employs several staff, and Demario Brown, who manages two locations with a larger team.
The program offers a straightforward entry point for business ownership by leveraging the established Bad Dawg brand, fostering customer trust and consistent demand.
This model reflects a growing trend toward informal and micro-enterprise activities within the food sector, allowing effective growth while minimizing capital risk. Even after Bad Dawg’s expansion into supermarkets starting 2014, the vendor network remains vital for direct consumer engagement.
CB Foods continues investing in vendor development, maintaining brand standards, and providing operational guidance, reinforcing commitment to vendors as central to its growth strategy.
Though still modest in scale, this structured vendor model serves as a viable pathway for income generation and business ownership in economically challenging contexts.
