Shark Tank Update- What happened to Kevin O’Leary invested Turbo Trusser after the show?

Shark Tank season 14 featured Turbo Trusser with owners Kirk Hyust and Brian Halasinski pitching their gadget. Turbo Trusser is a stainless steel device used to truss whole chickens, turkeys, and Cornish hens for cooking.

Following their appearance on Shark Tank, the company experienced a significant surge in sales, with a total of $290,000 generated in 2022 alone. This marked a substantial increase from their lifetime sales of $90,000 before the show.

According to Shark Tank Blog, this success came with a challenge, as counterfeit products flooded Amazon, reportedly resulting in an estimated loss of $300,000 in sales before the issue could be resolved.

Despite this setback, the company has continued to thrive, finalizing its deal with Kevin O'Leary on the day their segment aired. The Shark has proven to be a valuable partner and brand ambassador, appearing on various TV shows to demonstrate the product.

As of October 2023, the company's products remain in 75 stores, with strong sales continuing. They are also exploring new opportunities, including expanding to grocery store shelves in time for the holiday season. Additionally, the company is developing new products, such as a trusser for cornish hens, a portable grill, and a poultry rub.

As per media outlet Techie+ Gamers, Turbo Trusser boasts an impressive 4.3-star rating on Amazon, based on a substantial 1,008 customer reviews. In terms of financial performance, the product generates approximately $100,000 in annual revenue and has a valuation of $1 million.

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Journey of Turbo Trusser before and after Shark Tank explored

Kirk Hyust and Brian Halasinski, inventors from Stark County, Ohio, bring a unique combination of skills. Hyust, a culinary arts graduate from The Culinary Institute of America, is passionate about inventing new products. Halasinski, with a BBA from Kent State University and an MBA from Malone University, has a background in business, having worked as an analyst, lean engineer, and therapeutic specialist.

The two became friends in 2015 after Hyust renovated Halasinski's home. Since then, they have collaborated on six inventions, including four in the barbecue industry and two in the pet industry. Although their previous creations did not gain traction, Turbo Trusser showed promise.

Turbo Trusser is a kitchen tool designed to simplify cooking chicken and turkey. It features two wire hooks on a stainless steel trusser, allowing for easy cooking in ovens, deep fryers, grills, and more. After partnering with local companies to manufacture the product, Turbo Trusser was launched in 2021. Initial sales were modest, with $50,000 generated in a few months, but this figure rose to over $100,000 within a year.

Hyust and Halasinski initially applied to appear on Shark Tank but were rejected. However, after reaching the $50,000 sales milestone, they reapplied and were eventually invited to pitch their product on the reality show. Their memorable appearance, which included wearing turkey and chicken costumes, was followed by a successful pitch.

At the time of their pitch on Shark Tank, the Turbo Trusser had generated $90,000 in sales over eight and a half months, with 60% of sales coming from their website and 27% through three distributors. Brian and Kirk showcased their kitchen tool, highlighting its versatility in various cooking appliances. They emphasized its stainless steel composition, dishwasher-safe design, and US manufacture.

Robert Herjavec admired the duo but deemed their business too small. Barbara Corcoran echoed this sentiment. Brian and Kirk cited the 87 million turkeys Americans reportedly consume during holidays, emphasizing their need for online marketing guidance.

Shark Tank's Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner withdrew, citing scalability concerns and modest business size. Barbara Corcoran followed suit. Kevin O'Leary proposed $100,000 for 33% equity and a $1 perpetual royalty. The duo countered with 20% and 25% equity offers. O'Leary held firm, and they ultimately accepted his original proposal.