Where Is Float 'N' Grill From Shark Tank Today?
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Cooking over an open flame is not only a beloved pastime during the summer months, but it's also responsible for the evolution of humans. According to National Geographic, humankind first cooked with fire almost two million years ago, a move that ensured humans had the energy to support the large brains responsible for so many momentous achievements throughout history. Over time, humans developed hearths in the home dedicated to cooking meat to perfection, which eventually evolved into the far more convenient gas and electric stoves that are now a staple of modern living.
Of course, cooking over an open flame still holds an important place in culinary culture. There's nothing better than enjoying delicious, char-grilled food during the dog days of summer, especially when you're surrounded by family and friends. In addition to home cookouts, portable grills are also great for summertime trips, such as visits to the beach or a nearby lake. It's these exact experiences that led two friends to develop a new portable grill concept, albeit one with an interesting twist.
A boater's best friend when space is limited
The best inventions often arise from some sort of problem or inconvenience, which is precisely what happened to entrepreneur Mikey Bashawaty. According to a 2021 report from the Detroit Free Press, Bashawaty realized that his newly purchased jet boat lacked room for a grill when fully packed with people and other supplies. He then built a floating grill, much to the amazement of his friend Jeremy Quillico. Quillico was impressed, proclaiming that he'd "never seen or heard of this before." Quillico encouraged Bashawaty to try to sell his new invention, christened the Float 'N' Grill, which ultimately led to their partnership.
Bashawaty and Quillico made their way to "Shark Tank" after failed attempts to launch their invention (a 2017 Kickstarter campaign only failed to secure $862 out of a $200,000 goal). The pair initially asked the Sharks for $200,000 in exchange for a 20% share of their business. However, paltry sales figures left many of the hosts squeamish, and only Daniel Lubetzky, a guest host on the show, was willing to entertain an offer (via YouTube). Lubetzky countered with a proposed 50% share of the business and sweetened the deal by touting his friendship with the team at Weber grills.
Ultimately, Bashawaty and Quillico agreed to a 22.5% share for a $100,000 investment, as well as a 50% licensing agreement with Lubetzky and a $100,000 loan with an interest rate of 7%.
A successful deal sizzles out
"Shark Tank" fans know securing a deal is only half the battle. As for Float 'N' Grill, not even Lubetzky's generous offer could save the product from obscurity. Bashawaty and Quillico still maintain the Float 'N' Grill website, although it currently says that its single product is sold out. A similar message appears on the product's Amazon page, where the Float 'N' Grill is listed as "currently unavailable."
For further insight into the future of floating grills, we turn to the product's Facebook page. A post from 2022 states that a dearth of "shipping materials" caused some orders to be delayed. The post also stated that the business was working on boosting the inventory and developing an improved manufacturing process to ensure customer orders could be sufficiently fulfilled. No new updates have been posted since, suggesting that supply chain woes may have prevented Float 'N' Grill from living up to its true potential.