Next up is Wally Amos, famous for Famous Amos cookies, of The Cookie Kahuna, seeking $50,000 for 20 percent equity.
The Cookie Kahuna offers up cookies with a whole lot of the Aloha Spirit baked right in. The cookies come from Wally Amos, the same person who created Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies. After Amos lost ownership of his company and his original recipe was changed, he was inspired to go back to where it all started with the taste everyone remembered, according to the website.
The Cookie Kahuna cookies are served up by way of bags, boxes and wholesale and include flavors such as Original Chocolate Chip, Butterscotch Macadamia and Chocolate Chip Pecan. They are also in brick-and-mortar stores in Hawaii, where Amos currently resides. A six-ounce bag of cookies costs $5.99. In a 2014 interview with Fortune, he said, “I think The Cookie Kahuna will be a stronger memory for me than Famous Amos. It is one more chance at a huge success. Not as many people get as many chances that I’ve had.”
Despite “selling happiness,” the sharks are not impressed by his margins, which are at 20 percent. Robert Herjavec suggests getting his numbers down as a first step. He explains to Barbara Corcoran that he just loves making cookies, while Kevin O’Leary cites his brand capabilities. Despite that, O’Leary goes out.
Lori Greiner loves his spirit, but believes he should channel his passion into something else. She goes out. Herjavec too acknowledges the importance of loving the product, but goes out for lack of love for the business. Corcoran recalls her own lucky break, but she believes he sold his personality when he lost ownership of Famous Amos. She goes out, as does Mark Cuban for having a conflict of interest.
Social Media Reacts to The Cookie Kahuna’s Appearance on “Shark Tank”
The cookies might be good but I don't care about the taste, I care about the MONEY. #SharkTank #CookieKahuna
— Kevin O'Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) October 8, 2016
I seriously want those cookies tho lol .@TheCookieKahuna .@ABCSharkTank #sharktank #sharktankchat #smallbusiness #watching #amwatching
— Marie | My3Pieces (@my3pieces) October 8, 2016
Wow @ABCSharkTank THE Famous Amos on tonight's episode!
— Shannon Molloy (@ShantieAnne) October 8, 2016
Best cookies EVER!! I'm a customer! @wallyamos #SharkTank @ABCSharkTank
— Lori Greiner (@LoriGreiner) October 8, 2016
Putting my $ where my mouth is. Just ordered from @wallyamos and his new The Cookie Kahuna! Good cookies. Great guy! pic.twitter.com/eLBdqFTmP1
— Jerry Craft (@JerryCraft) October 8, 2016
Each week on “Shark Tank,” budding entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their emerging business to six multi-millionaire and billionaire investors, known as sharks: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks; Daymond John, fashion mogul and founder of FUBU; Kevin O’Leary, self-proclaimed Mr. Wonderful and founder of O’Leary Financial Group; Barbara Corcoran, real estate maven; Lori Greiner, queen of QVC; and Robert Herjavec, technology guru and founder/CEO of the Herjavec Group. Venture capitalist Chris Sacca is also slated to appear as a guest shark this season.
“Shark Tank,” which is based on “Dragons’ Den,” is produced by Mark Burnett and first debuted in 2009. To date, the sharks have invested more than $87 million in various companies after engaging in numerous bidding wars and shark fights. A new episode airs each Friday at 9 p.m. on ABC.
Would you try a bag of The Cookie Kahuna cookies? Sound off in the comments section below!