Shark Tank update: What happened to OatMeals after the show? Details explored

While Shark Tank season 16 is currently airing, having premiered in October this year, fans of the reality show are curious about the products sharks invested in during previous seasons.

Among the myriad of food products featured on the show, OatMeals stands out. It appeared in season 10, which premiered in October 2018. Samantha Stephens, the founder, opened the OatMeal restaurant in New York City in 2012. The restaurant was a hit, prompting her to seek national expansion and open more outlets nationwide.

Samantha ended up taking Lori's deal for $500,000 for 33.3% equity after initially asking for 20%. Barbara also pitched an offer, but Samantha found Lori's deal better. Unfortunately, her dream didn't come to fruition as the pandemic forced her to shut down the business in 2021.

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Samatha Stephen's business OatMeals after its Shark Tank appearance in season 10

Even when Samantha walked away from the Shark Tank season 10 stage with a check in hand from one of the biggest entrepreneurs and business experts in the country, Lori Greiner, their deal didn't close. Lori had no further involvement with the business afterward, and the reasons remain unknown.

However, Samatha didn't stop working towards her dream of expanding her stores nationwide. Unfortunately, she never got the chance to do so, as OatMeals, like many other businesses, succumbed to the Covid-19 pandemic. They struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic and ultimately had to shut down on January 24, 2021.

Now, Samantha continues to post her oatmeal recipes on the company's social media and sells their granola online.

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OatMeals' appearance on Shark Tank season 10

Samantha Stephens entered Shark Tank season 10 asking for $500,000 for 20% equity in her business, OatMeals. She shared that she had dreamed of opening an oatmeal store since she was in college, from where she graduated in 2004.

Despite having a high-paying job in finance, she left the job to pursue her dream and opened OatMeals in the West Village of New York City in 2012. She started taking classes in entrepreneurship and baking in 2008 while still working full-time.

Her business flourished over the next two years, and she sought to expand her stores to other parts of the country with the sharks' help. After explaining her story, she served some of her dishes to the sharks, who loved them. Samantha mentioned that after six years in business, she had made $2.5 million in revenue and was projecting $500,000 for the current year.

Kevin didn't think she was making enough money and opted out. Daymond calculated the return on investment and said it would take 12 years for him to get his money back, so he also chose not to invest.

Lori Greiner suggested creating packaged products to sell in grocery stores and asked Samantha if she was open to it. Samantha agreed, leading Lori to offer her the money for 33.3% equity. Barbara also made an offer for 50%, proposing to turn OatMeals into a food cart business. Ultimately, Samantha preferred Lori's offer and accepted it.

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New episodes of Shark Tank season 16 come out on Fridays at 8 pm ET on ABC.