Uli's Famous Sausage

What Uli's Famous Sausage does

Uli's Famous Sausage is a Seattle-based artisan sausage manufacturer founded in May 2000 by Uli Lengenberg, a German Master Butcher with over 40 years of experience. The company operates from a single Gourmet Sausage Factory at 843 Rainier Ave South, producing 10-30 different sausage SKUs daily using whole-muscle cuts (95% lean chicken thigh, 80% lean pork shoulder, lamb leg) and in-house spice blends developed during the founder's training in Germany and subsequent operation of delis in Taiwan from 1983 to 1988. Its portfolio exceeds 50 SKUs spanning fresh, smoked, cooked, and dried sausages across pork, chicken, and lamb proteins, including German bratwurst styles (Nurnberger, Thuringer, Weisswurst, Beer Brats, Merguez), international varieties (Boerewors, Chorizo, Andouille, Linguica, Kielbasa, Bangers), chicken sausages, breakfast links, dried Bier Bites, and seasonal holiday coils, alongside gift boxes, digital gift certificates, branded apparel, and a curry ketchup condiment.

The company sells through four parallel channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce with nationwide UPS air shipping, factory direct pickup in Seattle, a monthly or quarterly subscription program, and wholesale distribution to roughly 130 grocery stores and restaurants across Washington and Oregon including QFC, PCC Community Markets, Uwajimaya, and independent grocers. A corporate gifting vertical handles B2B orders with a 60lb enterprise minimum. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $9-$17 per pound on fresh sausage to $400 on the Y.O.L.O. 40-variety gift box, with gift certificates from $25-$500. The business remains privately held under founder ownership, with no external investors or parent company disclosed, and no public revenue or funding data available.

Name

Uli's Famous Sausage

Legal name

Uli's Famous Sausage LLC

Website

https://ulisfamoussausage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Uli's Famous Sausage is a Seattle-based artisan sausage manufacturer founded in 2000 by German Master Butcher Uli Lengenberg, producing 50-plus SKUs of fresh, smoked, and dried sausages sold DTC online nationwide, through a subscription program, and via wholesale to 130-plus grocery and foodservice accounts across the Pacific Northwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisan Sausage Manufacturing

NAICS

Animal Slaughtering and Processing (3116), Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers (424470)

SIC

Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Meat Packing Plants (2011)

akta.pro primary industry

Sausage Manufacturing (Fresh, Cooked, Fermented, Emulsified) (AFANAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Regional Processed Meats (Ethnic/Traditional Sausages, Regional Cures) (AFANAEAK), Hot Dogs, Frankfurters & Bologna (Emulsified/Comminuted Meats) (AFANAEAG), Pork Wholesale (Primal/Subprimal, Boxed Pork) (AFAIADAB)

Keywords

• Artisan sausage manufacturing
• German butcher products
• Wholesale meat distribution
• Charcuterie and smoked meats
• Corporate gourmet gifts

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: One-time product sales through e-commerce website and factory direct pickup. Products include fresh sausages, smoked sausages, breakfast links, chicken sausages, lamb sausages, and specialty items
2. Wholesale Distribution: Bulk sales to grocery stores and restaurants with minimum order requirements (45lbs for delivery, 10lbs processing minimum). Products distributed through independent grocers, QFC, PCC Community Markets, and restaurants
3. Subscription Service: Recurring monthly or quarterly subscription deliveries of premium sausage products shipped throughout continental USA including AK and Hawaii via UPS air
4. Corporate Gifting: Corporate gifting programs with gift boxes and certificates starting at 60lb minimum for exclusive rates. Gift cards available in denominations from $25 to $500
5. Merchandise: Branded merchandise including hats, hoodies, t-shirts, and beanies sold through e-commerce

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Uli's Famous Sausage manufactures and sells artisan sausage products from its Seattle facility, offering 40+ fresh, smoked, and dried varieties across pork, chicken, and lamb proteins in international styles (German, Italian, Cajun, South African, North African, Irish, English, Polish, Portuguese). The company distributes through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, factory pickup, wholesale to 130+ grocery stores and restaurants, subscription deliveries, and corporate gifting programs, complemented by branded merchandise and gift certificates.

Product overview

Uli's Famous Sausage is a Seattle-based artisan sausage company founded in 2000 by German Master Butcher Uli Lengenberg at Pike Place Market. The company operates as a single-brand food products business offering a portfolio of over 50+ fresh, smoked, cooked, and dried sausage products across multiple protein bases (pork, chicken, lamb) and international style profiles (German, Italian, Cajun, Spanish, South African, North African, Irish, English, Polish, Portuguese). Core products include bratwurst varieties (Nurnberger, Thuringer, Weisswurst, Beer Brats, Mens Room IPA), international sausages (Merguez, Chorizo, Andouille, Boerewors, Linguica), chicken sausages (Italian, Rosemary, Cajun, Apple, Heavy Garlic), breakfast links, and smoked sausages (Frankfurters, Kielbasa, Jalapeno Cheddar). The company also offers gift packages (Y.O.L.O. Gift Box, seasonal holiday boxes, Oktoberfest, BBQ, Thanksgiving), digital gift certificates in denominations from $25-$500, branded merchandise (apparel and headwear), and a curry ketchup condiment. Products are sold through direct-to-consumer online ordering with factory pickup and shipping, wholesale distribution to restaurants and grocers, and retail at Pike Place Market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Uli's Famous Merguez Sausage A lamb-based sausage with North African, Belgian, and French origins, made with farm lamb, chili, peppers, and garlic, stuffed in delicate lamb casing.
• Uli's Famous Weisswurst A Bavarian-style white sausage, super-finely ground and fully cooked, traditionally served in hot water and split lengthwise with pretzels and mustard.
• Uli's Famous Mens Room IPA Beer Brats A beer brat inspired by Seattle radio station KISW's 'The Mens Room' program, made with Black Raven Brewing Company IPA, benefiting the Fischer House Foundation for veterans.
• Uli's Famous South African Style Boerewors South African 'farmer sausage' made with generous amounts of coriander and red wine vinegar, originally created for the South African Embassy in Taiwan.
• Uli's Famous Nurnberger Style Bratwurst A small, satisfying bratwurst with subtle spicing and underlying bitterness, a traditional Nuremberg-style sausage.
• Uli's Famous Potato Sausage Coil (Holiday Special) A holiday specialty coil sausage approximately 44-48 inches in length and weighing 2 lbs, made with potato and pork.
• Uli's Famous Bratwurst Style Sausage Coil (Holiday Special) A holiday-special bratwurst coil approximately 44-48 inches in length and weighing 2 lbs, designed as a statement piece for dinner tables.
• Y.O.L.O. Uli's Gift Box A comprehensive gift box containing 1 lb each of 40+ sausage varieties including Beer Bratwurst, various Andouille, Chorizo, Bangers, Brats, Italian sausages, Chicken sausages, Lamb, and specialty items.
• Seasonal Themed Gift Boxes (Thanksgiving, Oktoberfest, BBQ) Pre-curated gourmet gift boxes themed around Thanksgiving, Oktoberfest, and BBQ seasons, featuring Uli's signature sausage selections.
• Digital Gift Certificates ($25-$500 denominations) Digital gift cards available in denominations from $25 to $500, valid for one year from purchase, redeemable for Uli's sausage products online or at the factory.
• Uli's Sausage Subscription Service Recurring monthly or quarterly subscription deliveries of premium sausage products shipped throughout continental USA including AK and Hawaii via UPS air with recyclable packaging and ice packs.
• Uli's Famous Curry Ketchup Curry-flavored ketchup condiment designed to pair with Uli's sausages.
• Uli's Branded Baseball Cap Men's baseball cap featuring Uli's Famous Sausage logo patch, sold as branded merchandise.
• Uli's Hooded Sweatshirt Black hooded sweatshirt with 'Stuff It' bubble and Uli's face on front, Uli's logo on back, sold as branded merchandise.
• Uli's Knit Beanie with Logo Knit beanie with Uli's Famous Sausage color logo sewn on front, sold as branded merchandise.
• Uli's Women's V-Neck T-Shirt Black women's V-neck T-shirt with 'Stuff It' bubble and Uli's face on front, Uli's logo on back, sold as branded merchandise.
• Uli's Men's Crew Neck T-Shirt Black men's crew neck T-shirt with 'Stuff It' bubble and Uli's face on front, Uli's logo on back, sold as branded merchandise.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products available at 130+ retail locations across Washington and Oregon
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Black Raven Brewing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWoodinville, WA brewery partnership for Mens Room IPA Beer Brats - a specially spiced beer brat inspired by The Mens Room radio show (99.9 KISW). Proceeds benefit The Fischer House Foundation supporting veterans' families.
• Fischer House FoundationminorOthersCharitable beneficiary of Mens Room IPA Beer Brats sales. Supports military and veteran families with housing during times of medical need. Four Fisher Houses in Washington State.
• Friends of Fisher House Puget SoundminorOthersCharitable organization supported by Uli's that helps create 'home away from home' for military and veteran families during illness, injury, or disease.
• The Coffee OasisminorOthersNonprofit faith-based organization in Kitsap County supporting youth escaping violence, abuse, homelessness, and poverty. Provides mental health services, job training, and housing options.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hebrew National: National kosher frankfurter and deli-meat brand owned by Conagra. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the prepared-meat category overlapping Uli's smoked frankfurter and Kielbasa SKUs at premium grocery channels.
• Boar's Head Provisions: Established deli meat and sausage brand distributed nationally through grocery deli counters and foodservice. Comparable as a broader meat/sausage incumbent with overlapping premium positioning in smoked sausages, frankfurters, and Kielbasa categories where Uli's also competes.

Emerging players

• True Story Foods: Clean-label sausage and charcuterie brand emphasizing no fillers, preservatives, or nitrates, with grocery and DTC distribution. Comparable emerging player targeting the same clean-label, premium consumer segment as Uli's.
• Brooklyn Bangers: NYC-based artisan sausage maker producing British, Irish, German, and other international styles for retail and DTC. Comparable emerging craft player with international flavor profiles and DTC/wholesale hybrid distribution.

Direct peers

• Nueske's Applewood Smoked Meats: Wisconsin-based artisan producer of applewood-smoked bacon, ham, and sausages including bratwurst, kielbasa, and frankfurters. Highly comparable to Uli's on artisan, premium, smokehouse-craft positioning and specialty/regional sausage SKUs.
• Kiolbassa Smoked Meats: Texas-based artisan sausage maker producing beef, pork, chicken, and turkey smoked sausages in styles including Andouille, kielbasa, and bratwurst. Comparable on artisan production methods, broad international SKU range, and premium grocery distribution.
• Aidells Sausage Company: Premium chicken and pork sausage brand offering international flavors (Andouille, Italian, bratwurst, Merguez-style) sold through grocery and foodservice channels. Closely comparable to Uli's on premium positioning, international flavor profiles, and DTC + wholesale distribution.
• Johnsonville Sausage: Largest US sausage manufacturer offering bratwurst, Italian, breakfast, and smoked sausages across pork, chicken, and turkey. Directly comparable to Uli's as a multi-SKU sausage producer competing for the same consumer occasions (grilling, breakfast, entertaining), though at much larger scale and mass-market positioning.

Regional players

• Hempler's Foods: Pacific Northwest sausage and bacon producer with deep grocery and foodservice distribution across WA, OR, ID, and AK. Directly competes with Uli's in the same regional retail accounts and on similar premium, all-natural sausage positioning.
• Isernio's Sausage Company: Pacific Northwest artisan sausage maker founded in 1980 by a master butcher from Italy, producing Italian-style and international sausages for grocery and foodservice. Comparable on regional craft positioning, founder-driven artisan heritage, and overlapping supermarket wholesale relationships in WA/OR.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnLmeItPVJ6mdu8PpzUPK_Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/ulisfamoussausage
• Instagraminstagram.com/ulisfamoussausage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Uli's Famous Sausage