Korean barbecue restaurant Cupbop offers its meals in cups. Dok Kwon and Jung Song, two business owners, came up with this concept. They observed that the selection of Asian food in quick-service restaurants was lacking. They began Cupbop. Their goal was to provide simple access to delicious Korean cuisine for folks on the road.
Jung and Dok made appearances on Shark Tank during Season Thirteen. They arrived to request $1 million from the sharks in return for 3% of their company. The idea and the food were adored by the sharks. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our Cupbop update to find out!
cupBop Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Dok Kwon and Jung Song asked for a $1 million investment in exchange for 3% equity in their company. This meant they valued their company at $33.33 million. They made a deal with Mark Cuban for $1 million in exchange for 5% of their company, which valued it at $20 million. After the show aired, Cupbop saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. With an estimated 10% yearly growth rate (typical business growth), the current net worth of Cupbop in 2025 is about $40 million.
After Shark Tank, Cupbop is still operating and doing incredibly well. Cupbop has expanded even further since the show aired. In the US, they opened nine more locations. It currently operates in seven states and more than 27 locations. They became global as well. In Indonesia, Cupbop has more than 100 locations.
They operate a food truck business. Which helps them get recognition in many contexts. Cupbop has generated revenues of almost $40 million as of 2024. The business is thriving. To help them handle their explosive development, they even partnered with a tech company. Cupbop is growing with ambitions to expand even further in the future.
It’s true that Cupbop closed a deal on Shark Tank. They requested $1 million in exchange for 3% of their business. Ultimately they struck a $1 million deal with Mark Cuban for 5% of the business. There was some back and forth in the negotiation.
A fan of the company Mark Cuban made a $1 million offer for 7% of the company. In response, the founders demanded 4.5%. They came to an agreement on 5% after some discussion. Having Mark as a partner pleased the founders and it was beneficial to them.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Barbara Corcoran | $1 million for 30% equity | N/A | N/A |
| Lori Greiner | $1 million as a loan with 8% interest and 5% equity | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | $1 million as a loan with 10% interest and 3% equity | N/A | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec | $5 million for 28% equity | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | $1 million for 7% equity | $1 million for 4.5% equity$1 million for 5.5% equity$1 million for 5% equity | yes to 3rd offer |
CupBop Shark Tank Pitch
Dok Kwon and Jung Song are Korean nationals. They wanted to bring their favorite foods with them to the United States. They believed that Americans would also appreciate Korean barbecue, as they were huge fans of it. They observed that pizza, fries, and hamburgers made up the majority of fast food.
There was very little diversity, particularly in Asian cuisine. They made the decision to launch Cupbop. One of their early problems was figuring out how to turn Korean BBQ into a fast food item. The lunch is often served sit-down but they wanted it to be simple and fast. They had the bright idea to serve the food in cups so that it would be portable. It was a really good idea,
Jung and Dok effectively and clearly demonstrated their product to the sharks. They showed how simple it is to consume Korean barbecue from a cup. They also discussed how a significant portion of their marketing involved their food trucks. Their use of these trucks aided in spreading the word about Cupbop.
They wanted 3% of their company in return for $1 million. Their sales figures and the speed at which the business was expanding pleased the sharks. They had generated $18.7 million in system-wide revenues in only a single year. This demonstrated Cupbop’s prior success
The sharks questioned the company on a few occasions. They were curious as to what set Cupbop apart from other fast-casual eateries. The chefs clarified that their dish was special since it provided a unique experience by serving Korean BBQ in a cup.
They added that a key component of their plan was the use of food trucks. The food trucks’ impact on sales was questioned by the sharks. Before opening actual shopfronts, the creators said that the trucks were a terrific method to get their meals in front of new audiences. The sharks were thrilled with the trucks’ marketing effectiveness.
Cupbop caught the interest of the sharks. The first offer was made by Kevin O’Leary. He proposed a $1 million loan with 3% equity and a 10% interest rate. Another offer was made by Barbara Corcoran. She demanded far more than the founders. which was $1 million for a thirty percent stake.
Robert Herjavec went even higher. He made a $5 million offer for 28% ownership. And Lori Greiner extended an offer. She intended to lend $1 million with 5% equity and an interest rate of 8%. Mark Cuban was the last shark to submit an offer. He enjoyed both the business and the meals. He made a $1 million equity offer. They settled on a $1 million with a 5% equity deal with Mark Cuban after some discussion.
What Went Wrong With CupBop On Shark Tank?
Not every shark accepted the terms of the sale or the worth of the business. Barbara Corcoran desired 30% equity, which was a far bigger portion of the business. That’s what Cupbop needed to flourish, she believed. A substantial bid was made by Robert Herjavec as well: $5 million for 28% ownership. In his opinion, the company required additional funding to grow more quickly.
The company’s founders however didn’t want to give up too much authority. They ultimately chose to work with Mark Cuban since his offer was the most similar to what they had requested. The founders were not entirely satisfied by the other sharks. Their proposals were less appealing.
Product Availability
A fast-casual Korean BBQ restaurant is called Cupbop. They make it convenient to eat on the run by serving their cuisine in cups. Rice, noodles, and Korean barbecued meat with various sauces are all on the menu. People adore the food because it has so many powerful flavors. The fact that Cupbop operates a food truck business is one of its distinctive features.
These food trucks go to various locations so that locals can sample their meals before they open for business. Cupbop is present in numerous US states and has more than 100 sites in Indonesia. By going to their website, you can discover where they are. Updates are also posted by Cupbop on its YouTube channel. They serve competitively priced food that may be enjoyed both takeaway and dine-in.
Conclusion
Cupbop had a really successful time on Shark Tank. The owners, Dok Kwon and Jung Song arrived at the event with a thriving business and left with significant funds from Mark Cuban. Cupbop has expanded ever since making an appearance on the show. They have over 100 stores in Indonesia and more sites in the United States now that they have gone global.
They continue to grow, having crossed the $40 million mark in sales. Cupbop appears to have a promising future with goals to continue growing. The business was able to get even more support and visibility as a result of its performance on Shark Tank. It will be interesting to follow their future travels. Watch the website for additional information about Cupbop’s development and next additions.
Hi, I’m Laiba Khurram, a BBA student specializing in Marketing at FAST NUCES ISB. My background includes experience in finance, marketing, and event coordination. My skills include teamwork, time management, and Microsoft tools. Watching Shark Tank has always inspired me, as I admire the innovative pitches and entrepreneurial spirit showcased on the show. This passion drives my approach to finding creative solutions and understanding market dynamics. Read more About me.
