With over 100 locations already sizzling across South Africa and a toehold in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the popular hotdog brand Sausage Saloon is just getting started.
Along with a food truck on Mirdif Way, adjacent to Etihad Mall in Dubai, and a kiosk at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Sausage Saloon has now opened its first store in Port Louis, Mauritius with plans to have two additional stores on the Indian Ocean island by the end of 2024.
Sausage Saloon's expansion into Mauritius is a key component of its global growth strategy, which includes new stores in New Delhi, India; the Sultanate of Oman; and Zimbabwe in the near future. This strategy aims to increase the brand’s international presence through master franchising opportunities.
In his 2024 Budget Speech, Dr.Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, and Development in Mauritius proudly presented the island nation's 7 percent GDP growth rate, reaching R249.5 billion in 2023, coupled with a 30.9 percent increase in total investments in the same year. In line with the title of his speech, “Tomorrow is Ours”, he highlighted the island nation’s ambition to become for mainland Africa what Singapore is to Southeast Asia.
“Mauritius is drawing high-spending tourists who stay longer, and with their Government’s intent to reach 1.4 million tourist arrivals by the end of the year, the location presents an appealing market for us due to its potential for growth in disposable income. Comprehensive market research shows that Mauritius is one of the most successful and competitive economies in Africa, providing impetus for our investment into the country,” says Kerry-Ann Strange, global marketing executive at Sausage Saloon.
With humble beginnings. the proudly South African family-owned business was established in 1997 by Ralph Strange and his sons, David and Steven, with unwritten plans for the next generation to join over time. The Strange family has a robust background in the food industry, having owned several award-winning steak houses before Sausage Saloon was founded. The franchise was created to elevate a traditional fast food experience to a vibrant and exciting dining experience. The first Sausage Saloon store opened its doors in an Alberton mall east of Johannesburg, where it continues to operate successfully.
The expansion into Mauritius is led by South African-born Master Franchisor and trailblazing entrepreneur Tshidi Matjeke-Dlungwane, who shares the Strange dynasty’s passion for fun, flavour, and world domination (or at least dominating the hotdog market). The initial kiosk is situated at Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis with plans to expand to shopping malls and other strategic sites on the island. Sausage Saloon and its master franchisor plan to have 12 stores in Mauritius by the end of 2026.
In recent decades, increasing numbers of women like Tshidi have found a business home in the franchise sector. The Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) estimates that the total percentage of women operating franchises around South Africa was about 30% in 2023. Women started as a minority in franchising, but are quickly becoming the decision-makers, especially given the increasing recognition of women in the South African business landscape.
“Owning a franchise is not for the faint of heart, what we need is more education on franchising and how it can serve as a tool for creating generational wealth. My advice to women aspiring to become franchise partners or owners is to surround themselves with supportive people and never give up. It is also imperative to get to know the franchisor because you will be entering into a partnership and it is essential to get along with them. Ask questions, don’t be shy, and always remember: A franchise is a business within a business, there should be no need to reinvent the wheel. All the systems should be in place, and the support should be there. You just have to get down and do the work,” advises Tshidi.
“The Sausage Saloon brand is about more than just simple great food: it’s about bringing people together, and the sustained support, commitment, and encouragement I have received from the Sausage Saloon team in realising my dream, has made this journey very rewarding,” she adds.
With almost three decades of experience serving world-class hotdogs, Sausage Saloon has earned a reputation for its commitment to quality, size, and innovation. “We are on a mission to be everywhere you crave a hotdog. From fixed locations to mobile units and food trailers, we’re expanding our reach through collaborations with franchise partners to ensure we’re always hot and ready for you,” says Kerry-Ann Strange.
Sausage Saloon’s global expansion is not just about growth for the sake of growth; it’s about fulfilling its mission to spread joy, one delicious, high-quality bite at a time. “We know that in a chaotic world, all you need sometimes is a great hotdog to set things right again. And with our longer-term vision to expand our franchise model to 2,000 locations around the globe, we'll be able to bring that happiness to more people than ever before,” she states.
While their core product is hotdogs, local market tastes and flavours are incorporated into the menu, catering to Halaal and vegetarian diets. “We’re optimistic about what lies ahead for our expansion here in Mauritius. “It’s crucial for us to not only expand our presence but also contribute to the local economy by hiring locals trained to meet established standards, reflecting the warm and welcoming nature of the Mauritian people,” says Kerry-Ann.
Adding to that, Tshidi smiles when she says: “On your next island vacation or business trip to Mauritius, I would like to extend an open invitation to all fellow South Africans to join us at one of our Sausage Saloon stores where every bite will be a celebration. And always remember, life’s too short for boring hotdogs!"
To arrange an interview with Sausage Saloon, contact
Liezl MacLennan at
· Email: liezlmac@outlook.com
· Phone: +27 (0) 82 375 3554
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