Growth & Jobs | From pushcart to platform

What began as a single pushcart in 2012 has grown into a nationwide vendor programme that is creating jobs, supporting small businesses and changing lives across Jamaica.

The Bad Dawg Vendor System, an initiative developed by CB Foods, has evolved from a job-creation effort into a network of independent entrepreneurs operating food carts in multiple parishes islandwide. Today, 18 vendors are part of the programme, which provides branding, training and operational support to individuals seeking to become their own bosses.

For Shauna Lee McCalla, the opportunity proved transformative. Over the last eight years, she has expanded her Bad Dawg operation from one cart into two locations, employing five people along the way.

“The Bad Dawg vendor programme has been life-changing,” McCalla said. “It gave me the chance to grow, build something of my own and create a real sense of stability.”

She said the work goes beyond earning an income. “Seeing people enjoy the product and knowing I’m part of that experience is incredibly rewarding. It’s more than just selling; it’s about creating moments and bringing people together.”

A similar sentiment was shared by Demario Brown, who now operates two carts and manages a growing team. Attracted initially by the prospect of independence, Brown said the programme offered a practical route to economic mobility.

“What drew me in was the chance to take control of my own future,” he explained. “Instead of waiting on opportunities, I could create them for myself.”

Brown now employs two permanent staff members and six temporary workers. He credits the programme with teaching him essential business skills, from customer relations to day-to-day operations.

“Being part of Bad Dawg gives me a strong foundation,” he said. “People trust the brand, and that trust carries over into my business. It’s pushed me to be more focused and intentional about growth.”

Beyond income generation, vendors say the work has strengthened their ties to the communities they serve, as regular customers turn roadside food stops into familiar meeting places.

According to Nicole Hall, senior manager for commercial marketing at CB Foods, the vendor system remains central to the Bad Dawg brand.

“Bad Dawg was born out of a job-creation initiative designed to give individuals the opportunity to be their own boss,” Hall said. “At its core, the brand is about changing lives and creating experiences together.”

She noted that vendors play a critical role in carrying the brand’s energy from street corners to major events. “Through entrepreneurship, our vendors are able to grow, level up and build something meaningful,” she said.

As the brand expanded, Bad Dawg entered the retail market in 2014, making its products more widely available while maintaining its streetfood roots. Company officials say that despite its growth, the vendor programme remains at the heart of the brand’s identity.

“Our vendors are the heart of the brand,” Hall added. “We remain committed to supporting them as they continue to grow.”

For many participants, the Bad Dawg Vendor System has become more than a business opportunity — it is a platform for possibility, built one cart at a time.