'Shark Tank' Season 15 fans troll Dogue owners over 'absurd' pricing of French pastry for dogs
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dogs, being man's closest companion, ought to be loved unconditionally. However, after the Friday, February 23 episode of 'Shark Tank' Season 15, fans are compelled to question if it is ok to offer dogs $15 per piece of French pâtisserie.
In addition to their nutritional focus, Dogue assures the quality of their in-house pastries by removing toxins and additives, resulting in both tasty and healthful dog treats. The prices range from $15 for tiny delights to $95 for giant desserts.
Dogue's café offers a diverse experience, featuring a broad range of dishes to cater to various tastes. For those seeking a touch of luxury, an option is available to book a seven-course dinner.
Dogue's online store, available via its website, provides a scrumptious selection of pastries and single-ingredient delicacies for canine enjoyment. The organic chicken breast treat costs $11.95, the beef sirloin $14.95, and the wild smelt $19.95.
Dogue presents an array of meal toppers featuring flavors like chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, and more, all priced between $4.95 and $12.95. Additionally, the website also offers a variety of health supplements for people in need of additional nutritional support.
On Reddit, fans worried, "They have no idea what they are doing. This will fail. No way will someone pay $15 for dog food that is only Instagram worthy unless they are rich or an influencer." Another person added, "Fun business but they have tons of competition. They will do fine with one location but it’s hard to see it scaling."
One person also noted, "I don't see this being successful long term."
On X, fans asked, "Did I hear that correctly - they're charging $15 for a dog pastry on the justification of because...instagram? So because people are willing to pay mega bucks for "clout" they're able to sell $15 dog pastries. Absurd." Another person sighed, "These nature made desserts - are for dogs!"
Did I hear that correctly - they're charging $15 for a dog pastry on the justification of because...instagram? So because people are willing to pay mega bucks for "clout" they're able to sell $15 dog pastries. Absurd. #SharkTank
— Novafan23 (@Novafan23) February 24, 2024
These nature made desserts - are for dogs! 🐶#SharkTank @ABCSharkTank
— Jamie Steinberg ♡ (@NotYerAvgChick) February 24, 2024
Why did Dogue not get any offers on 'Shark Tank' Season 15?
Dogue has a brick-and-mortar store in San Francisco that is little more than 1600 square feet. When Alejandra Vasquez and Rahmi Massarweh initially appeared on 'Shark Tank' Season 15 seeking $100K for a 20% stake in their company, they started making around $20,000 each month.
At that juncture, they had managed to break even, but recognizing the growth potential, they were seeking the Sharks' assistance to scale their business to new heights.
Shark Daymond John highlighted a potential challenge for Dogue, noting that the delivery of chilled items might pose a hurdle due to the associated higher costs. Shark Lori Greiner did not perceive the company's growth either. She believes "it's too difficult and too costly."
Shark Mark Cuban agreed, expressing that it would be "really hard to scale to return any money" to investors.
Despite having one of the most notable exits by investing in a pet product previously, Shark Robert Herjavec emphasized the importance of a "game plan" for the husband-wife team. "I love animals, but you don't have those answers today," he went on to say.
When can you visit 'Shark Tank's Dogue?
Dogue's physical store on Valencia Street in San Francisco greets customers with open doors and a friendly atmosphere. The business, which is open from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday, offers a dedicated location for dogs and their owners to receive care and compassion.
While closed on Saturdays, Dogue is open on Sundays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The store's decor reflects Dogue's dedication to providing a space where both dogs and their owners feel valued and appreciated.
It provides a refuge for pet owners to pamper and treat their beloved friends.
Who are the founders of 'Shark Tank's Dogue?
Rahmi, a professionally qualified chef in Classical French Cuisine, began his culinary career by developing his craft in family cafés and restaurants. He progressed through the ranks over nearly two decades, eventually becoming an executive chef in 2015.
However, the culinary industry's extremely competitive nature and demanding atmosphere pushed Rahmi to consider a move. In pursuit of a new business, he decided to leave his executive chef post and seek other prospects.
Rahmi and his wife Alejandra had a strong yearning for canine companionship, and their first dog experience came in 2010 when they met Grizzly, a 30-pound, 10-week-old English Mastiff. Grizzly's interest in store-bought dog food waned when they started using it.
Rahmi began creating customized meals for Grizzly using his culinary talents, integrating seasonal, fresh, and complete ingredients.
'Shark Tank' Season 15 airs on Fridays on ABC at 8 pm ET.
For those who missed the episode, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Additionally, viewers can explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.