What Happened To FunBites After Shark Tank?
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When Bobbie Rhoades tried to feed her youngest daughter Dylan, she was met with resistance as the picky eater wasn't interested in trying new foods. According to the National Library of Medicine, Rhoades wasn't alone. At any given age, it's estimated that 13% to 22% of children are picky eaters. Manifested in various ways, picky eaters may limit the type of meals they eat or require food to be presented in a specific manner. Some children may even throw tantrums, creating a stressor for parents at meal time.
According to the University of California San Francisco, a few reasons can lead to picky eating. While some children can be naturally more sensitive to certain 'textures, smells, and tastes,' others may be modeling behavior from parents or siblings. For Rhoades, her daughter would happily try new junk foods but required other food to be cut into small pieces before consuming. While many moms would just cut the food and wait for this stage to hopefully pass, Rhoades decided to solve this problem plaguing families nationwide and created FunBites.
FunBites makes a deal with Greiner
Created in 2011, FunBites are plastic food cutters shaped into fun patterns. With a rocking motion, FunBites cuts food into bite-sized shapes parents can use to decorate the plate and make the meal more appealing to picky eaters. Available in a variety of patterns and colors, FunBites are marketed to children as much as parents.
After three years on her own, via Shark Tank Blog, FunBites had $400,000 in sales with a deal from Target on the horizon and interest from Disney. Although the products were selling slowly in Kohls and Bed, Bath and Beyond due to poor packaging, hitting trade shows seems to be working for FunBites. Rhoades, however, had a goal of further expansion and licensing. In 2015, after waiting three years, Rhoades took FunBites on "Shark Tank," seeking a $75,000 investment for 20% equity in her company.
While two sharks passed on the investment, Lori Greiner and Daymond John made offers, with Mark Cuban trying to sabotage the deal at the last minute. After some bickering and a lot of talking over each other, Rhoades chooses shark Lori Greiner for a $75,000 investment in exchange for 25% equity in FunBites. Rhoades believes Greiner, with established relationships in Rhoades' target retail locations and experience licensing five products, is the right partner to fix packaging issues and grow the brand.
FunBites is still successful
According to Shark Tank Blog, in the weeks following her "Shark Tank" appearance, Rhoades sold $150,000 worth of products. Rhoades appeared on QVC and created a commercial to market her products further. FunBites cost $1.70 to make and sell wholesale for $6. The product line can now be purchased on Amazon and retails for $9.99 for a single cutter or $23.99 for three.
FunBites has accumulated many awards over the past few years, including "National Parenting Publications Awards" and recognized for 'Momspiration' by Huggies. The product has been seen on various network programs like "Good Morning America" on ABC and publications like "Parenting" and "Real Simple." According to Insider Growth, FunBites is estimated to be worth $1.4 million in 2022.
FunBites joins other juvenile products made successful after appearing on "Shark Tank" since airing in 2009. Per Newsweek, "Happy Mat," an all-in-one silicone placemat and plate that suctions to the table, preventing the inevitable toddler food toss, and "Lollacup," the sippy cup with a straw for toddlers, are two of the top 20 products to come from the show. These are certainly some of the best kitchen tools we've seen on "Shark Tank."