Why does Bunnings have sausage sizzles?
Bunnings sausage sizzles are fundraising barbecues run by local charities and community groups outside Bunnings Warehouse stores across Australia. The sausage in bread has become an iconic part of weekend life.
Bunnings lets community groups such as sports clubs, schools and charities book a spot outside its stores on weekends. Volunteers cook sausages and onions on a barbecue and sell them in a slice of bread with sauce, raising money for their causes.
The tradition has raised millions of dollars for local groups each year. For many shoppers, buying a sausage on the way in or out of the store is part of the outing.
The famous onion rule
In 2018, Bunnings announced that onions should be placed under the sausage rather than on top, for safety reasons after concerns that slipping onions could cause falls. The announcement became a national news story and caused plenty of jokes.
The sausage sizzle is so well known that politicians have been photographed eating one on election day, since sausage sizzles are also held at polling places. A democracy sausage has become a symbol of Australian elections.
Bunnings itself began in Perth in 1887, founded by brothers Robert and Arthur Bunning, and is now owned by Wesfarmers.
Did You Know?
Bunnings is the largest home improvement and hardware chain in Australia and New Zealand.