Have you ever found yourself munching on a bag of chips, and thought, “Man, I wish these were healthier”? Well, so did Nick Hamburger and Zack Schreier! These two brilliant minds cooked up something revolutionary: Quevos!
Born as a snack idea but transformed into a hot commodity, Quevos hit the big leagues on Shark Tank. Let’s say you missed the episode—no worries! We’re diving deep into the story of how Quevos cracked the code on healthy snacking, won hearts on MTV’s business battleground, and are now popping up in stores all around you. Spoiler alert: it’s absolutely egg-citing!
Founders and Initial Mission
Here’s the thing, every great product has a backstory that makes you root for it. For Nick and Zack, it all started with a personal need for a snack that doesn’t spike blood sugar levels. Zack, living with diabetes, was on the hunt for snacks that balanced yum with health, and boom, the light bulb went off. Egg whites—a beloved breakfast staple—became the unlikely hero in this snacking saga, delivering a crunchy, low-carb, and high-protein treat.
Now, if you’ve ever been on a keto diet or tried to cut carbs (who hasn’t?), you’ll recognize why a chip that fits those needs is a game-changer. This mission wasn’t just about creating snacks; it was about flipping the script on snack time and offering something that feels indulgent but doesn’t sabotage your health goals.
The Shark Tank Experience
Picture this: Nick and Zack stepping into the *Shark Tank*, full of nerves but beaming with hope, asking for a bite-sized chunk of $200,000 for 5% of their brainchild. That’s right, these guys weren’t just selling chips—they were serving up already impressive sales numbers! By 2019, Quevos had earned $260,000, caught the eyes of Kickstarter backers, and turned heads at the Kraft-Heinz incubation program. Pretty impressive, right?
The Sharks—feisty as ever—had their eyes on the prize. Finally, it was Daniel Lubetzky, the mastermind behind KIND Snacks, who took the plunge. He made a deal: $200,000 for a 10% equity stake and a $200,000 line of credit. It’s like betting on today’s race car driver who has the talent and heart, just in need of a faster engine. And that deal? It was just the start of Quevos’ turbocharged journey.
Growth and Success Post-Shark Tank
Now, let’s talk about what happened next because trust me, it’s one heck of an adrenaline rush. After their *Shark Tank* debut, Quevos didn’t just see a bump in sales; they experienced a sales surge, raking in an incredible $500,000 in just two weeks! It’s like everyone had the same snack epiphany at once—people wanted healthier chips, and they wanted Quevos.
Daniel Lubetzky wasn’t just all talk—he went all in, pumping an additional $1.35 million into Quevos. Combine that with $3.6 million from other investors, and suddenly, our eggcellent friends were sitting on a pile of $5 million to shoot for the stars.
Here’s the magic: Quevos weren’t just flying off the shelves; they were demanding more shelf space. From a modest 400 stores, Quevos expanded to over 1,500 retail locations, including big-name grocers like Whole Foods and Wegmans, along with health-focused shops like GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe. Oh, and if you’re an online shopping fanatic, you could snag a bag from their website or on Amazon.
Impact of Manufacturing and Sales Strategy
Let’s take a peek behind the curtain at Quevos’ secret sauce—its manufacturing and sales strategy. By keeping production in-house, Quevos controlled the cost, producing each bag for just $0.83 and making about $2.49 profit per bag. That’s some solid business-sense, right?
In-house production doesn’t just mean cost savings; it means quality control. You know that your bag of Quevos is fresh and delicious, thanks to the tight ship run by Nick, Zack, and their team. This strategy has allowed them to rein in expenses while exploring new flavors and expanding their line-up.
Making the serious business of snacking efficient allowed them to reinvest their profits right back into growth. That kind of strategic mindset fuels opportunities, turning what was once a wild dream into a snack-time staple.
Major Milestones and Retail Expansion
Buckle up, because Quevos’ journey has been nothing short of lightning-fast. From those first *Shark Tank*-inspired sales upticks, Quevos grew like wildfire. Starting with 400 stores was just the beginning; soon, they were hitting shelves across more than 1,500 locations. Seriously—every major retailer worth knowing had a spot for Quevos in their aisles, making healthy snacking options more accessible than ever.
Major chains aren’t just venues; they’re stages from which Quevos could shout loud and clear to the health-conscious crowd. And guess what? It didn’t stop there. Online, Quevos extended its reach further, ensuring that wherever you are, you can have your crunchy, egg-white delight delivered right to your doorstep.
Acquisition by Joe Oblas
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Quevos announced their acquisition by Joe Oblas, the entrepreneur behind Stryve Foods and ProSupps. This acquisition opens even more possibilities! It’s like adding a V8 engine to our already fast-moving vehicle. Oblas, with his extensive industry lore and connections, suggests a future full of fresh innovations and exciting directions for Quevos.
What will the future hold for Quevos under Joe’s guidance? Maybe you’ll find Quevos in even more flavors on the shelves, or maybe they’ll dive into other markets entirely. One thing’s for sure—if there’s anyone who knows how to scale healthy eating options, it’s Joe.
Conclusion: The Quevos Journey Continues
Looking back, Quevos’ journey is truly an inspiring tale—one of innovation, passion, and good old-fashioned grit. From an initial idea sparked by personal need to a bustling business backed by savvy investors, Quevos has proven its staying power in the healthy snack industry.
Here’s what it all boils down to: this is a brand that’s not just about profits but about changing the way we snack. That’s why they’re poised for even greater heights, ready to bring their delightful bites to more kitchens and offices around the world.
You may also like:
