Many people love comfort foods like grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. But finding a place that serves these simple yet tasty meals can be hard.
Corey Ward and Trew Quackenbush saw this problem. They wanted to offer these classic dishes in a fun and new way. So, they started Tom + Chee, a restaurant that makes gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soups. They even created a special treat: a grilled cheese donut.
To grow their business, they went on the TV show Shark Tank. They hoped to get money and advice from the show’s investors, called Sharks. They asked the Sharks for $600,000 in exchange for 10% of their company. Did the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our Tom + Chee update to find out!
Tom + Chee Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Corey Ward and Trew Quackenbush went on Shark Tank asking for $600,000 for 10% of their company. This meant they thought their business was worth $6,000,000. They made a deal with Barbara Corcoran and Mark Cuban for $600,000 for 30%, lowering the valuation to $2,000,000. The episode was aired on May 17, 2013. The company was later acquired by GSR Brands and continues to operate with multiple locations. The current net worth of Tom + Chee is estimated to be around $8–9 million in 2025.
After appearing on Shark Tank, the company saw quick growth. They opened many new locations across the country. But growing too fast caused problems. Some restaurants were too big and cost too much to run. This led to some stores closing. In 2017, a company called GSR Brands bought Tom + Chee.
They made the menu simpler and focused on making the business run better. As of today, Tom + Chee is still in business. They have several locations in the United States. You can also order their food online through their website.
Yes, Tom + Chee made a deal on Shark Tank. They asked for $600,000 in exchange for 10% of their company. After talking with the Sharks, they agreed to give 30% of their company for the $600,000. Barbara Corcoran and Mark Cuban, two of the Sharks, each invested $300,000. They also got the rights to open Tom + Chee locations in New York and Texas.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Barbara Corcoran | $300,000 for 15% equity | N/A | No |
| Robert Herjavec, Barbara and Kevin | $500,000 for 25% equity | N/A | No |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban and Barbara | $600,000 for 30% equity and franchise rights to Texas and NY | N/A | Yes |
Tom + Chee Shark Tank pitch
Corey Ward and Trew Quackenbush started Tom + Chee in 2009. They set up a small tent in Cincinnati, Ohio, near an ice skating rink. They wanted to serve grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup to people looking for warm, tasty food.
Their idea was simple: take a classic meal and make it special. They used fresh ingredients and added unique twists, like the grilled cheese donut. People loved it, and their small tent became very popular.
On Shark Tank, Corey and Trew shared their story. They talked about how they started with a small tent and grew to several locations. They explained their menu, highlighting the grilled cheese donut.
They told the Sharks they had made $1.5 million in sales from their main store in one year. They also mentioned that their first franchise store made over $100,000 in one month.
They asked the Sharks for $600,000 in exchange for 10% of their company. Keep reading our Tom + Chee update to see what happens next!
The Sharks had many questions.
Robert Herjavec asked how many items they served. Trew gave them menus showing about twenty different sandwiches.
Mark Cuban noticed the low prices and simple paper menus. He asked if people saw Tom + Chee as a cheap place to eat. Trew said they wanted to offer gourmet grilled cheese at a reasonable price.
Barbara Corcoran asked about their sales. Corey said their two main locations made $1.5 million in the past year.
Kevin O’Leary asked if their popular sandwich came with a defibrillator, joking about its richness. Trew explained they used high-quality ingredients and aimed for a health-conscious menu, which made the Sharks laugh.
Barbara Corcoran loved that people were willing to wait in long lines for their food. She offered to invest $300,000 for 15% of the company and wanted the rights to open stores in New York.
Mark Cuban was interested too. He offered $300,000 for 15% and wanted rights in Texas.
Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec decided not to invest.
Daymond John said he focused on healthy foods and didn’t see himself investing in grilled cheese, so he was out. Corey and Trew accepted Barbara and Mark’s offers, totaling $600,000 for 30% of their company, plus the state rights.
Product Availability
From our Tom + Chee update research, the company offers a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soups. Their unique item is the grilled cheese donut. They use fresh ingredients and have a fun menu. You can find their restaurants in several states across the U.S. To see their menu or find a location near you, visit their website.
Conclusion
Tom + Chee started with a simple idea: make classic comfort food special. They grew quickly after appearing on Shark Tank and getting investments from Barbara Corcoran and Mark Cuban. They faced challenges with fast growth, leading to some store closures. But with new ownership and a focus on improving their business, they continue to serve their unique grilled cheese creations.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib an undergraduate student of Bachelors in Business Administration. Shark Tank is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. The show provides a fascinating insight into the world of entrepreneurship by presenting creative solutions to common problems, which strongly connects to my academic interests. I’m interested in learning more about the strategic thinking and creativity that lead these companies as each pitch provides insightful information. I’ve found that watching Shark Tank has inspired my enthusiasm for business and entrepreneurship and has been a very enlightening and motivating experience. Apart from business and writing, I love food, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family. Read more About me.
