'Shark Tank' Season 15: Internet mocks Robert Herjavec for investing $400K in debt-ridden Buena Papa Fry Bar
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Without a doubt, many restaurants have achieved success after appearing on 'Shark Tank,' whether they received an investment from the show.
Buena Papa Fry Bar, one of the most recent eateries to sign a deal with Robert Herjavec on the show's 15th season, is being derided by fans since the firm was said to be in debt at the time of the deal.
James and Johanna Windon were looking for $400,000 in exchange for a 7% interest in their firm, Buena Papa, which serves culinary meals with fries from many countries.
The Sharks tried Buena Papa's. The first store they created made $1.1 million, and the second just opened, with the couple expecting to make roughly $2 million since adding it.
Buena Papa has also begun franchising and has disclosed a $70,000 debt.
The pair began the firm with $18 in their bank account and invested their life savings.
Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner declined to make a deal. Kevin O'Leary also stated that he is out, and Barbara stated that she does not believe they require anyone and that she is also out.
Robert offered $400,000 for a 19% ownership, and an agreement was reached!
Fans quickly took to Reddit to ridicule the offer.
One user wrote, "Another pitch where people are trying to grow too fast. What's wrong with just building up a single restaurant for a couple years. Learn the market. Test drive everything. Learn the mistakes. Then move onto another location once perfected."
Another user agreed, "Franchising after two stores, insanity."
One user chimed in, "Robert just lost $400k lmao." A user also wrote, "I checked Google reviews while waiting to come back from the commercial break.... Not very many reviews and an average of 4.1."
A fourth user quipped, "Isn't this Poutine with a twist?"
One user also complained, "These things look impossible to eat." Another thought, "Hmm not a single vegetarian option. seems shortsighted."
Where can you get Buena Papa french fries from 'Shark Tank'?
For those who want to purchase Buena Papa gourmet fries after seeing them on 'Shark Tank', there are now just a few places. There are three sites in North Carolina right now, and one will open in Miami, Florida, shortly.
Visit the official website at buenapapa.com to learn more.
The original restaurant in North Carolina is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm in the Morgan Street Food Hall. They are open the same hours in the Streets of Southpoint in North Carolina.
Wynwood is where the Miami location will be. Lastly, they have a restaurant that serves cuisine during Carolina Hurricanes hockey games at PNC Arena in North Carolina.
On its website, Buena Papa offers franchising options as well. They aim to collaborate with additional company owners in the US.
Buena Papa Fry Bar received shoutout from Mexican celebrity chef Pati Jinich
A new digital series called 'Thriving Through Food' was hosted by the host of the PBS TV series 'Pati's Mexican Table' at Buena Papa's Fry Bar in the summer of 2022.
Fries "as a vehicle to introduce locals to Johanna's native Colombian cuisine" is as Pati Jinich put it, "a genius mashup".
Buena Papa's Fry Bar was highlighted on the 'Raleigh' episode of the ACC Network travel program '3-Day Weekend', which was hosted by Jess Roy, in October 2023.
'Shark Tank' Season 15 airs on ABC on Fridays at 8 pm ET.
Missed episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and the show can also be watched on Hulu the next day. Not just that, viewers can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.
