News

Chi'Lantro lands the big one on Shark Tank

November 17, 2016

Last Friday, Chi'Lantro founder Jae Kim landed the big one on the ABC TV show, "Shark Tank". Real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran offered Kim $600,000 for 20 percent equity in his Korean barbecue-inspired brand. 

"Barbara is the perfect person for Chi'Lantro's growth," said Kim, in a news release. "She values the culture of Chi'Lantro and sees and trusts my vision to grow our company into a billion dollar company. Barbara grew her company from having nothing, so she was able to relate how I continue to grow my company today."

This — Kim's third time trying out for Shark Tank — proved to be, as the adage says, "a charm." His story, including his struggles as the immigrant child of a single mom and his sacrifices to open his first food truck, struck Corcoran, while the brand's 25 percent year-over-year growth and projections to reach $6 million in sales in 2016, sealed the deal. 

Kim said in a news release that the investment will be used to continue expansion of the concept throughout Texas and beyond.