Where Is Custard Stand Food Products From Shark Tank Today?

It's easy to get lost in all of the innovative products and intriguing business pitches that fit into an episode of "Shark Tank." The popular show allows entrepreneurs to pitch their winning product or company to a team of investors, known as the sharks, to hopefully secure an investment deal. The most common pitch is offering a certain percent stake in the company in exchange for a dollar amount, though royalties and other investment forms have also been involved in the business deals, too.

Angie and Dee Cowger appeared on the show in season 7, way back in 2016, when they wowed the sharks with their hard-to-resist chili. The couple owned a hot dog stand, and the chili was so well-loved by their customers that they wanted to take it nationwide. They asked for $400,000 for a 10% stake in the business. Although the judges loved the chili, they were alarmed to learn that the couple had more than $700,000 worth of debt in the business. Between the amount of debt and the monumental challenge of building the company into a national business with just $400,000, the sharks don't see it working. Everyone goes out, and the Cowgers leave without a deal.

Although the couple left the tank without any investors, it doesn't seem to have done much damage to their business. A quick Google search suggests the brand is actually doing quite well and is available in national retailers. According to the Custard Stand website, the products are available in a number of big-name stores, including Walmart, Harris Teeter, and Sam's Club. Based on a store location map on its website, it appears the chili is available from New York to Tennessee, and even further west into states like Missouri.

In a major partnership with Kroger, the grocery store giant added Custard Stand's chili and chili soup to "nearly 600 stores," per an announcement on the website. "We're thrilled that Kroger believes in Custard Stand Hot Dog Chili so strongly that they're adding it to nearly 600 stores all at once," owner Angie Cowger said, adding that it "certainly rivals being on 'Shark Tank.'"

When the Cowgers appeared on "Shark Tank," they had two locations, and that still remains the case; they haven't expanded on the restaurant side of their business. According to the About Us page, the two opened their first shop in 1991, then a second one in 2009. Though they didn't specify the year, the couple later sold the second location to their daughter, but it still operates as a Custard Stand.

Custard Stand does have a social media presence, with more than 1,300 Instagram followers and 11,000 Facebook followers. Back when the Cowgers were on "Shark Tank," they revealed they had made $1.6 million the previous year; there aren't any reputable revenue estimates online for the couple's business today. Still, the exciting news about launching in hundreds of grocery stores likely means the two are at least bringing in more money than they were when they appeared on the show.