This week, Tilman Fertitta meets with Youval Meicler and Rachael Gordon of Texas Mattress Makers.
Texas Mattress Makers is a mattress and bedding company that was affected by Hurricane Harvey last year. According to their website, their “goal is to ensure you get the best bed for your unique sleep needs at the best possible price.” They offer various types of mattresses and materials, including pocketed coil, luxury, pillow top, hybrid, memory foam and spring. Prices range from $220 to $3,500.
Fertitta tries out a few of their mattresses and visits their manufacturing area. He tries making a mattress of his own and completes it in five minutes. Meicler then tells him that he wants to make mattresses that are supportive yet cushy so that they appeal to the masses. They have been working with the community in the wake of Harvey. Fertitta challenges them to bring the mattress that Meicler described and compare it to a national brand that is used at his hotels.
At the Galleria test, the Landry’s national brand receives 17 votes, while the Texas Mattress Makers get 18. The commenters liked the firmness of the national brand so Fertitta challenges the duo to make a “special” mattress with more adjustments in quality and support. Amid the new challenge, the company partners with the Houston Children’s Charity to help support the local community.
Will @MattressMakers get enough votes? #BillionDollarBuyer pic.twitter.com/i8Acd0g4GV
— Billion Dollar Buyer (@BillionDollarTV) January 25, 2018
They unveil the new mattress next, which includes a high-density foam. He says “it feels like an expensive bed,” adding that it’s very comfortable. They do a 30-day test with the customers and several Landry’s executives as well, which yields impressive results. Ninety percent of visitors said they would buy the mattress.
On deal day, the duo says they changed components, which will allow for the competitive price of $1,000 instead of $1,200. Fertitta says he will buy 1,000 mattresses for a $1 million deal overall. He adds that he’s donating 500 beds for Harvey victims.
Social Media Reacts to Texas Mattress Makers’ Appearance on “Billion Dollar Buyer”
It's always important to help and give back to your communities! These people are what makes a community great! #BillionDollarBuyer
— Tammy Motola ❤️ (@tmotola) January 25, 2018
Under 6 minutes of assembly? Coming from a guy obsessed with speed, time, and quality, not too shabby @TilmanJFertitta #BillionDollarBuyer
— Thomas Harkins (@TomHarkins5) January 25, 2018
Loving Youval and Rachel already. So community focused. Rooting for @MattressMakers #BillionDollarBuyer pic.twitter.com/8tAJWvPVnQ
— Steve Smith (@stevej_smith) January 25, 2018
The burning question: will this mattress company be getting into bed with @TilmanJFertitta? Lol. #BillionDollarBuyer
— Lynn C Johnston (@lynncjohnston) January 25, 2018
Not only did @MattressMakers
Win by one vote, more importantly they got @TilmanJFertitta
Vote.#BillionDollarBuyer— Andy Kunzmann (@andykunzmann) January 25, 2018
#BillionDollarBuyer Wow, the feedback speaks for itself. Awesome job @MattressMakers!
— Thomas Harkins (@TomHarkins5) January 25, 2018
According to CNBC, the reality television show “introduces promising companies across the country to one of America’s most successful businessmen: billionaire hospitality mogul Tilman Fertitta, Chairman, CEO, and sole shareholder of Landry’s, Inc.” Featured entrepreneurs present their small business to Fertitta in the hopes that he will place a large purchase order. But before they make their pitch, they must prove to the hospitality mogul that their product is worth it through challenges and customer feedback.
What are your thoughts on Texas Mattress Makers? Did you like Fertitta’s offer? Sound off in the comments section below!