Shark Tank Update- What happened to Kevin O’Leary-invested Wicked Good Cupcakes after the show?

Kevin O
Kevin O'Leary visits "Outnumbered" at Fox News Channel Studios (Image via / Getty Images)

Wicked Good Cupcakes CEO Tracey Noonan and her daughter Danielle Desroches appeared on Shark Tank in season 4 episode 22, seeking a $75,000 investment in exchange for 20% ownership. Initially, four Sharks declined, citing concerns about profit margins and competition. However, Kevin O'Leary offered a $75,000 investment without taking equity.

O'Leary, also known as Mr. Wonderful, instead proposed a royalty of $1 per cupcake jar sold until he recouped his investment, then 50 cents per jar. They ultimately agreed on a 45-cent royalty per jar.

Wicked Good Cupcakes experienced a massive surge in sales after Tracey Noonan and Danielle Desroches' Shark Tank appearance. Within weeks, the company received a year's worth of orders. With the investment from Kevin O'Leary, the business growth skyrocketed to 600% within a year, expanding its operations from a home kitchen to a 21,000-square-foot facility with over 30 employees.


How did the Wicked Good Cupcakes pitch go on Shark Tank?

In 2010, a mother and daughter from Massachusetts took a cake decorating class together. This shared hobby sparked a business idea that would transform their lives. A year later, they opened their own cupcake shop, Wicked Good Cupcakes. In 2013, both appeared on the popular TV show Shark Tank, seeking an investment to expand their business.

Tracey Noonan and Danielle Desroches presented their unique cupcake designs and business plans to the Shark investors, sharing how they started the business after Danielle moved out of her family home. The Sharks were both charmed by their story and impressed by their sales figures.

At the time, Wicked Good Cupcakes was selling $150,000 worth of cupcakes online and in-store. They projected $360,000 in sales for the current year. However, four Sharks refused their demand for a $75,000 investment in exchange for a 20% equity stake.

Wicked Good Cupcakes then appeared in a season 7 update, where Kevin O'Leary announced his new "Something Wonderful Platform." This platform aimed to combine his Shark Tank businesses to tap into the wedding industry, with a goal of reaching hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.

Wicked Good Cupcakes achieved impressive sales amounting to $5.5 million since partnering with Kevin. The company's success story continued in Beyond the Tank and another update segment in season 8 episode 8. By 2018, Wicked Good Cupcakes delivered 10,000 cupcakes daily, jumping their sales from $150,000 to $10 million, as per the Food Republic.

The business partnership proved to be highly successful, with Wicked Good Cupcakes generating $40 million in sales after appearing on Shark Tank, and Kevin earned over $1 million in royalties, as per Sharktankblog.com.

Kevin O'Leary considered this a validation of his royalty deals. The founders of Wicked Good Cupcakes, mother-daughter duo Tracey Noonan and Danielle Desroches, expressed their gratitude to Shark Tank for their success, which helped the latter become a millionaire.

Wicked Good Cupcakes also partnered with well-known brands like Cinnabon. Kevin O'Leary even showed his support by visiting the facility and handing over the one-millionth cupcake sale to a customer. As of 2017, Wicked Good Cupcakes earned around $5 million in annual profits, according to Food Republic.

Since their appearance on Shark Tank, Tracey Noonan has launched a podcast and works as a motivational speaker, sharing her experiences as a woman entrepreneur. Wicked Good Cupcakes has over 35,000 followers on Instagram.

In 2021, Wicked Good Cupcakes was acquired by Hickory Farms. The company is still thriving today, continuing to innovate and create new products, and customers can order customized cupcakes, gift sets, and other treats online.

After the acquisition, Danielle Desroches continues to work at the storefront, managing the original branch location. Tracey Noonan, the founder's mom, has retired. Despite the change, fans can still order their favorite cupcakes and other products through the company's website.

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Edited by Riya Peter
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