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Hailee Ford, 3, enjoys her Ball Park hot dog at Phil Welch Stadium Thursday night. Sales of the Ball Park hot dog, which is produced at the Sara Lee plant here in St. Joseph, are growing.

It’s a winner of a wiener.

Two St. Joseph businesses are part of the nation’s No. 1-selling beef hot dog.

Ball Park hot dogs are produced at the Sara Lee plant in Mitchell Woods Business Park. Sales of the brand grew 13 percent in 2008. Sara Lee gives credit for the increase to its Angus beef hot dog, launched last year.

The American Angus Association, the world’s largest breed association, is headquartered on Frederick Avenue.

The Angus breed and its black cattle have become recognizable icons to consumers, said Sheila Stannard, communications director for the association.

“People like it because Angus meat is associated with a flavorful, juicy, quality eating experience,” she said.

The recession also plays a role in Ball Park’s success.

“Many families are trading down from more expensive meats to beef hot dogs, as it is a better quality hot dog,” the company stated in a request for information. “Families are also eating at home more often, due to the current economic conditions.”

The St. Joseph facility employs about 500 people. Ball Park franks are produced at several Sara Lee facilities, the company said, and as demand has risen, the facilities have increased production to meet demand.

Overall, hot dog sales are growing, with Americans spending $3.4 billion on hot dogs and sausages last year, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Sara Lee says most of the growth is in the all-beef segment.

Ball Park beef hot dogs recorded more than $300 million in sales in 2008. This summer, Sara Lee introduced two new Angus hot dogs — lower fat and bun size — and has high expectations for the brands.

The Angus association also sees positives.

“Because people have eaten good Angus beef, that’s driven demand for Angus cattle and that makes our producers happy,” Ms. Stannard said.

Susan Mires can be reached

at susanm@npgco.com.