Let’s decimate the biggest Shark Tank myth right away: Just because you leave the tank with a deal, that doesn’t mean you’re going to be the next household name or DTC juggernaut. The water is full of sharks, but most products float or sink after the cameras shut off. So, did the Float ‘N’ Grill — the grill for people who can’t imagine summer without burgers on a boat — catch a wave, or did it just end up as a viral punchline?
It’s the kind of story side hustlers, founders, and anyone who still daydreams about quitting their day job should care about. Let’s break down what really happened, what mattered, and what you can actually learn from the Float ‘N’ Grill saga.
Why Float ‘N’ Grill Got the Sharks’ Attention
Every season, we see some why didn’t I think of that? gizmo on Shark Tank. Float ‘N’ Grill was exactly that — a portable, floating, Michigan-made grill so you could BBQ afloat instead of munching soggy sandwiches on your boat.
Mike Bashawaty and Jeremy Quillico, the founders, floated their invention into the tank during Season 12 (episode 24). What grabbed everyone was the sheer audacity and simplicity: A grill that literally floats next to your pontoon, so you never have to choose between burgers and boating.
This wasn’t just another kitchen take on the George Foreman. It was made for a tribe of boaters who want to party, not pause. Any product that taps into that I need this for my next trip to the lake urge already has one foot through the door — and the sharks perked up.
From Lake Daydreams to a Real Product
The only reason you get a Float ‘N’ Grill is because two Michigan guys were tired of cold subs in the middle of the lake. Mike and Jeremy’s lightbulb moment hit on Lake St. Clair, fueled by “there’s got to be a better way” frustration and just enough DIY confidence to think, Why not us?
They weren’t designer types with VC contacts. They were just relentless. Prototyping, testing, frying their own burgers (and maybe eyebrows), and hustling all over Michigan for early sales. Their startup grind was real: lots of grunt work, local partnerships, zero excuses. That’s the DNA of every true founder’s story.
You want a lesson in validation? These guys cold-called a local mold company and convinced them to produce it in Michigan. They even got the manufacturing done with International Mold Corporation. That’s the sort of hustle that separates mailbox money dreamers from founders who actually make stuff happen.
What Actually Happened in the Tank
Here’s where it gets Sharky. Mike and Jeremy came in with a $200,000 ask for 20% equity—giving the company a cool $1 million valuation. Their sales? A humble $19,400. Not a typo: nineteen grand, not nineteen million. That threw cold water on most sharks right away.
At $126.88 cost and a $229 retail price (with free shipping — ouch), the margins were tight, but not insane. The main pain: selling grills on a website isn’t the same as selling the dream. Most sharks backed off fast, worried about finding enough diehard boaters to justify a national rollout.
A lot of founders walk into Shark Tank with numbers that are, frankly, fantasy. Not these guys. They were brutally honest about margins, costs, and how much work was left to do. That honesty can make or break you with sharks. In this case, it kept them in play.
Daniel Lubetzky — the founder of KIND Snacks and the rare shark who loves a gritty inventor fight — saw something. Most investors would’ve run, but he sniffed real potential in the patent, the niche, and one big word: licensing.
Net Worth and Valuation: Did It Ever Add Up?
Let’s do the hard math. They walked in valuing Float ‘N’ Grill at $1 million — but when you’ve barely broken $20K in sales, that number is pure hope. Don’t blame them; every founder dreams big in the tank, and you set an anchor high for negotiations. I’ve seen far worse.
But what’s it really worth? Licensing potential matters more than sales at this early stage. The patent gave them something to sell. The real magic (and risk) was in believing a big grill brand — say, Weber — would slap their name on it, pay royalties, and push it to lakes everywhere.
That’s what Daniel bet on: not the sales, but the deal he could get done off-screen. When founders are smart, they use Shark Tank not just for a check but to get access, connections, and a shot at the right partners. Play that well, and your net worth climbs faster than any e-com sale.
Today, nobody outside the founders and Daniel Lubetzky knows the exact Float ‘N’ Grill net worth, but it’s for sure less than the original ask. Without a breakout licensing deal or major big-box deals, it’s closer to solid side hustle territory than eight-figure sensation. Check the latest at SharkWorth for those who like watching valuation tallies.
The Deal: Daniel Lubetzky’s Game Plan
This nearly crashed and burned. Most sharks ran for the exit: too niche, too early, not enough fire (literally). But Daniel doesn’t play the same game.
His first offer was classic aggressive Shark: $200,000 for 50%, with a heavy lean on licensing. The founders pushed back — smart. They countered with an offer that broke up cash and equity, showing they understood risk vs reward: $100K loan at 7%, $100K for 20%, plus a $2/unit royalty.
That sort of counter is rare. These two were negotiating, not groveling. Daniel wanted more — his final: $100K cash for 22.5%, $100K loan at 7%, and half of any future licensing deals. That’s upside on top of upside, with Daniel holding two different profit levers.
Did they get Shark Daddy money? Kind of. Did Daniel get full skin in the game? For sure. This deal was less about cash, and all about can we get this in front of Weber? If yes, everyone wins. If not, well, Daniel’s capped his risk at $200K and has claim on upside without chasing inventory.
Product Breakdown — What Actually Makes This Grill Float?
Let’s be blunt: Most gadgets pitched to boaters are overpriced, overbuilt, or just flat-out useless. This isn’t one of them. Float ‘N’ Grill is food-grade HDPE plastic (read: won’t rust, cleans up easy) with a marine-grade vinyl trim. Dedicated space for eight burgers, and it runs off a small propane tank you’d use for camping. Simple, but not cheap — and that’s on purpose.
You can anchor it off the side of your boat, grill away, and not worry about charcoal falling in the lake or burning your dock. It’s not breaking tech barriers, but it solves one real problem true boaters have: cooking on the water without ruining your deck.
Why buy? Because for hardcore boat people, it’s about the vibe — and a cold sandwich kills the mood faster than a thunderstorm. Why ignore? It’s not going to convince your backyard barbecue dad to cook on a lake. Purely for the I have a boat and need this crowd, not the masses. That kind of focus is both strength and Achilles’ heel.
After Shark Tank — Did the Hype Stick?
You know the pattern: Get the deal; get the traffic; then either throttle up or sputter out. So where’s Float ‘N’ Grill now?
Good news: The company is still alive. They make the grills in Michigan and still ship them out as of 2025. They even got a feature as one of the top three summer pitches on the Shark Tank highlight reels. This isn’t one of those disaster stories where the website vanishes and the founders go radio silent.
But let’s be real — we haven’t seen them go viral like Scrub Daddy or rack up Bombas-level sales. The most passionate customers are still hardcore boaters. Licensing conversations with big guys like Weber haven’t hit the news with confetti and press releases. If there’s been an explosion, it’s been quiet.
Yet this is a business that keeps plugging. Never underestimate a product that turns a handful of passionate fans into sustained, niche revenue. In my experience, that’s more sustainable (and less stressful) than gambling on hitting mass retail with something this specific.
Can Float ‘N’ Grill Escape the Niche Trap?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Is this a forever-novelty, or can it cross over into the mainstream?
Word is, Daniel’s still hunting for the right licensee — and if Weber or Coleman says yes, then things get interesting. Big partners can open mass distribution and marketing channels that a small team from Michigan can’t touch.
But most boaters aren’t shopping the same way as tailgaters or backyard barbecue crowds. If you don’t have a boat (or friends with one), you’re not buying this. That addressable market is smaller than most people realize.
If they want to go big, licensing is the only way. National TV brought awareness, and SharkWorth lists still track hop-ups in valuation, but you’ll see Float ‘N’ Grill explode only if a big grill brand goes all in. Until then, it’s a steady niche business with strong protection (thanks to that patent) and real longevity — just not mass appeal.
Sizzle or Steak? What Founders Can Actually Learn
This is the kind of Shark Tank story every side hustler should study — not for the overnight success narrative, but for its sharp, steady realism.
Mike Bashawaty and Jeremy Quillico didn’t fake numbers, chase every customer, or overplay their hand. They were focused, transparent, willing to fight on terms, and never lost sight of the grind. When Daniel Lubetzky came sniffing, they didn’t just cave — they negotiated, adding nuance to the classic accept or walk script.
So, has Float ‘N’ Grill turned a sizzle into a steak? It’s definitely not charred. It’s feeding a steady group of lake lovers and learning the licensing ropes with Daniel’s playbook. Sometimes growing slow and still breathing three years later is a better win than flaming out after your Shark Tank buzz fades.
That’s the game: Find a real gap, serve your tribe, defend your margin, and never stop looking for the next jump. Most people quit way before they get this far. If that sounds like you, remember these guys. They’re still floating.
FAQs
1. Is Float ‘N’ Grill still in business after Shark Tank?
Yes. As of early 2025, the product is still made and sold from Michigan, found on their website and niche boating retailers.
2. Did Daniel Lubetzky’s deal actually close off-air?
Daniel made a deal on the show, but like most Shark Tank stories, final paperwork and licensing work continued after filming. No public fallout; Daniel is still listed as a partner.
3. Where can you buy Float ‘N’ Grill right now?
The official site and select boating stores. Google will land you at their storefront, and SharkWorth’s company page links out to their current stock.
4. How much does the Float ‘N’ Grill cost?
$229 retail, as of their Shark Tank pitch. Check their official site for discounts; price hasn’t drastically changed.
5. Is the grill really safe and practical for regular use?
For average boaters? Yes, with proper propane handling. It’s built for water, made of food-grade plastic and marine-grade vinyl.
6. Did they license the product to big grill brands like Weber?
Not yet, as far as public sources say. Daniel Lubetzky is still pushing for that, since it’s the real moonshot.
7. Were the sales numbers ever publicly updated after the episode aired?
No concrete follow-up sales figures have been shared, but continued product availability suggests healthy steady sales.
8. Who is the main customer for Float ‘N’ Grill?
Boaters, pontoon party folks, summer lake goers. If you don’t own a boat, you’re probably not the target.
So—if you’re in the grind, pitching, or sitting on your own oddly specific idea, remember: The Sharks don’t create a hit. You do. The Float ‘N’ Grill founders are living proof that sometimes, slow-burning hustle beats flash-in-the-pan hype every single time.
