It started with a passion for cooking and a dream. It’s become a journey of 25 years, and counting.
“In January we’re going to start celebrating our 25th year, and we’ll be doing a lot of exciting things,” says Danny Kleinsasser, owner and founder of Danny’s Whole Hog.
Back in 2001, it was a simple operation. Kleinsasser had 25 barbecues, and he and his staff would train customers on how to roast a pig for their corporate get-together or family event. People loved it. They also had suggestions to make the business even better.
“I listened to my customers,” explains Kleinsasser. “They said, ‘Can you cook it for me?’ ‘Can you bring salads, too?’ So we started doing full catering, and at the same time we began offering whole turkeys.”
Nearly a quarter-century later, Danny’s Whole Hog provides catering, drop-off meals and pick-up meals. They even have a storefront that sells meat pies and pastries, frozen meals, BBQ sauces and other favourites like farmer’s sausage, smokies, salmon and European wieners. Customers can shop online or visit in person on Hwy 67, 2.5 miles east of Hwy 7, north of Winnipeg near Stonewall and Stony Mountain.
And, of course, they still have their trademark Whole Hog BBQ – or turkey or beef.
Central and southeast Manitobans have been familiar with Danny’s Whole Hog since its inception, but the business has also been known to “Bring the Flavour” west to the Saskatchewan border, east to Kenora, and five or six hours north of Winnipeg.
“We have 12 full-time staff, but on weekends I sometimes need 30 people,” Kleinsasser explains. “They’re all trained and they do a great job.”
They also represent the most fulfilling part of business ownership.
“Family has always been very important to me, as have my employees. I treat my employees as family because, to me, they are,” Kleinsasser reflects. “We went through some hard times during COVID, but we survived it and I never laid my employees off. They have mortgages; they have kids. They were there through the good times and the bad. I supported them during the pandemic, and we’ve had record years after that.”
Kleinsasser remembers how his father used to tell him how he should treat people with respect. It’s advice he continues to live by, and that he’s always tried to pass on to his own kids.
He also values community and hard-working, local businesses.
“We try to support local as much as we can,” he says. “We have all local employees and we’re also out there as a local business.”
It’s an approach that adds a human touch to the delicious food products Danny’s Whole Hog is proud to offer.
“We’re here to take care of your full catering needs,” says Kleinsasser. “You can also call us for pick-up meals or a pig roast. It’s never too late to do a pig roast. And if you don’t feel like cooking it, we’ll cook it for you. We’re also big on planning Christmas parties for businesses and families.”
Twenty-five years’ on, Danny’s Whole Hog has a legacy worth celebrating.
“God’s blessed me with a wonderful family,” Kleinsasser says. “It’s been a journey, and I count my blessings every day.”
Danny’s Whole Hog can be reached by calling (204) 344-5675 or texting (431) 997-BBQS. Their complete menu and full range of services can also be viewed on their website.