Corridor Sausage lands in Kroger stores

Chefs Will Branch and Zachary Klein first met in what is now known as Midtown in Detroit, but back then the area was more commonly known as “Cass Corridor.” Thus, when the two decided to team up and start making sausage, it seemed only natural to name their company Corridor Sausage. The pair has come a long way since deciding to launch their culinary venture back in 2009. They are now distributing three of their 16 sausage varieties to 126 Kroger stores.

The products now available in Kroger are the result of a new fully cooked line and include:

• Vietnamese Chicken: made with lemongrass, lime leaf, wild ginger, Thai chilis, shallots and cilantro.
• Bacon Brat with Swiss: made with bacon, beef, pork, 100-day aged Swiss, mustard and mace
• Cherry Maple: chicken sausage, made with dried Michigan cherries, sage, maple and coriander.

“Kroger is supporting more and more locally-developed brands and we’re proud to be among those choices for Michigan shoppers,” co-founder Will Branch said in a news release.

In addition to Kroger stores, Corridor Sausage is now being served in more than 300 restaurants and can be found in a multitude of other grocery stores. You can also enjoy one made to order at Detroit Metro Airport, Ford Field, Little Caesars Arena, or the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

The company got its start working out of a back room of a butcher shop, but since 2011, has operated from its own factory in historic Eastern Market. Like many successful Michigan entrepreneurs, the two chefs grew a loyal fan base through pop-up events and farmers markets. The operational end of the business may be more complex now, and the flavor profiles are ever-changing, but the commitment to quality and tradition have remained despite expansion.

“As we have grown, we have strived to stay true to our sausage making roots and ethical standards by not cutting corners or using unpronounceable ingredients like preservatives, fillers, or additives. All of our products are completely clean label, natural, and gluten free,” Branch said.