Entrepreneur Juan Ignacio Stewart presented Shark Tank viewers with Frescos Naturales, a unique brand of sparkling water modeled after the classic Latin American “aguas frescas” in Season 14, Episode 12. Juan, a Guatemalan native, noticed a void in the American beverage industry.
Although Latin American cuisine was becoming more and more popular nationwide, there weren’t many options for healthful beverages. High fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors were prevalent in many of the drinks that were offered. Juan created a line of delightful sparkling aguas frescas using real fruits, flowers, and minimal sugar in order to address this issue.
His goal was to provide a drink choice that was faithful to Latin America’s natural flavors while still being healthier. The program highlighted his path, his remarkable sales, and his future growth goals. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our company update to find out!
Frescos Naturales Net Worth 2024 Shark Tank Update
Juan was looking for an investment of $130,000 in exchange for 8% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, he valued his company at $1.625 million. Juan successfully secured a deal with Daniel Lubetzky for an investment of $130,000 for 20% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $650,000. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Frescos Naturales in 2024 is around $2.5 million.
Sharks names | Demand & offer | Counter offer | Accepted? |
Juan Ignacio Stewart | $130,000 for 8% equity | N/A | N/A |
Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
Kevin O’Leary | $130,000 for 10% equity and 50 cents per unit in perpetuity. | N/A | N/A |
Daniel Lubetzky | $130,000 for 25% equity | #1 12% equity instead of 25% #2 20% equity instead of 25% | Yes 2nd offer |
Founders Backstory
Over twenty years ago, Juan Ignacio Stewart, a native of Guatemala, came to the United States. Juan had grown up drinking aguas frescas, a traditional Latin American beverage mixed with water, fruits, and flowers. He lived his life with these handcrafted cocktails. Juan observed that although Latin American cuisine was now widely consumed in the United States, there were not many healthy Latin American beverages on the market. The majority of drinks had either sugar or artificial additives.
Juan founded Frescos Naturales in order to provide a healthier drink option while also bringing back the flavors of his childhood. He started experimenting with classic aguas frescas recipes, making sure to use premium ingredients and lightly sweeten them. Juan also created something new by adding carbonation, which gave his drinks a sparkling twist and increased their appeal to contemporary consumers. He created Frescos Naturales out of his love for maintaining Latin American culture and advancing health and well-being.
Initial Pitch
During his Shark Tank pitch, Juan promoted Frescos Naturales as a more authentic and nutritious alternative to the market’s artificially flavored, high-sugar drinks. He took great care to clarify that the three components of his carbonated aguas frescas were water, actual fruits and flowers, and a small amount of sugar. His drinks were significantly healthier than fruit juice or standard sodas because each can only have about 60 calories.
Juan gave a passionate and sincere presentation, sharing both his future goals and his personal connection to the product. The fact that Kroger had offered to carry Frescos Naturales in locations all over Southern California was another thing he said to wow the sharks. His objective was to keep growing the company and establishing Frescos Naturales as a household name.
Queries About the Product
In regard to a Frescos Naturales update, the goods, and the company’s strategy were the subject of numerous questions from the sharks. They wanted to know about price, market competition, and production costs. Juan clarified that each may be produced for roughly $0.88 and sold at wholesale for $2.10. Prices in retail establishments varied, although cans usually sold for about $4.50. Though some raised concerns about the high retail price in comparison to other sparkling water options, the sharks were impressed with the product margins.
The sharks also inquired about Juan’s intentions for distribution and company scaling. Juan disclosed that he had previously established a collaboration with Kroger and intended to grow in terms of product diversity and store presence. Because of its distinct cultural appeal and healthier ingredients, he was certain that Frescos Naturales could make a name for itself in the competitive beverage market.
Sharks’ Responses and Final Deal
The sharks reacted differently to Juan’s proposal. Despite praising Juan’s enthusiasm and the caliber of his product, Daymond John, Mark Cuban, and Kevin O’Leary ultimately declined to invest because of the difficulties facing the beverage sector. They expressed concern about the heavy expenditures involved in growing a beverage brand and observed that the market was very competitive with little shelf space.
But Daniel Lubetzky, the guest shark, thought Juan and his product had potential. Juan’s dedication to his idea thrilled him, and he thought Frescos Naturales could carve out a place in the expanding market for healthier drinks. After negotiating over Daniel’s initial offer of 8% equity, Juan finally accepted Daniel’s offer of $130,000 for 25% equity. Juan would benefit greatly from having access to Daniel’s wide network and experience as he tried to expand Frescos Naturales thanks to this partnership.
What Went Wrong With Frescos Naturales On Shark Tank?
A number of things happened during the Shark Tank pitch that made the Sharks reluctant to accept the offer. The company’s value, which some Sharks believed was excessive given its current sales and revenue figures, was one of the primary problems. They thought the venture was hazardous because the financials didn’t support the asking price. Concerns were also expressed over the business model’s scalability. A few Sharks questioned if the business had the infrastructure in place to handle quick expansion in the event that demand surged.
The company’s profit margins were also problematic since some Sharks believed they were too low to ensure long-term profitability. When every Shark was out of the picture, the main worries were about not standing out in a crowded market, having a hard time getting the product to market, and depending too much on internet sales at the expense of physical stores. Together, these elements prevented the corporation from closing a contract.
Product Availability
Frescos Naturales increased its distribution after Shark Tank, mainly in California and Colorado’s Kroger and Ralph stores. Passion fruit, hibiscus, and guava are just a few of the flavors that the product comes in. It has become popular among health-conscious consumers who want a pleasant drink with a diverse cultural flavor.
Apart from being sold in stores, Frescos Naturales may also be bought via their official website, which opens up the product to a larger audience in the United States. Juan is investigating new taste possibilities and trying to lower production costs as the business expands, making the drinks more accessible without sacrificing their excellent quality.
What Happened to Frescos Naturales After Shark Tank?
Sales and publicity for Frescos Naturales significantly increased following the episode’s airing. Juan’s business kept growing in the retail space, especially because of significant alliances with large grocery store chains like Kroger. His drinks became well-known, particularly in Southern California, where Ralphs stores started carrying them. Sales of Frescos Naturales had hit a record high by the end of 2022, and Juan was looking for new tastes and ways to cut costs without sacrificing the quality of his creations.
Frescos Naturales is still operating and expanding as of 2024. With an emphasis on increasing the number of locations and online retailers that carry his beverages, Juan has effectively grown the brand’s presence throughout the United States. He has also tried to increase manufacturing efficiency and create new flavors. Health-conscious consumers enjoy Frescos Naturales’ natural ingredients and refreshing taste, which helps the business maintain its growing customer base.
Did Frescos Naturales Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
In our Frescos Naturales update research Yes, Juan did manage to land a deal. He gave the sharks a demo of his product and told them about himself before starting to negotiate. Juan first requested $130,000 in exchange for an 8 percent stake in his company. But guest shark Daniel Lubetzky, the creator of KIND Snacks, made a $130,000 offer in exchange for a 25% stake.
Following some back and forth, Juan agreed to the 25% price point, seeing the benefits of collaborating with Daniel, who had a wealth of knowledge in the food and beverage sector. Thanks to Daniel’s assistance, Juan was able to overcome the difficulties of expanding a beverage firm by having access to invaluable tools and guidance.
Conclusion
Juan Ignacio Stewart’s entrepreneurial spirit and love for his culture are demonstrated via Frescos Naturales. Juan overcame obstacles in his personal and professional life to develop a product that appeals to consumers seeking healthier beverage options. His experience on Shark Tank was a game-changer for the business since the partnership with Daniel Lubetzky gave Frescos Naturales the backing and funding it needed to grow.
Today, Frescos Naturales is still going strong, growing both online and in physical locations and adhering to its goal of providing natural, refreshing drinks that are influenced by Latin American customs.
Hello, Fareena Khan here. I am an Electrical Engineer with a passion for innovation and technology, and now, I am pursuing my master’s degree from NUST, Islamabad. I have been watching Shark Tank for the past 2 years, and then, it served as a way to kill my free time. It’s inspiring to see how ordinary people, with determination, creativity, hard work, and consistency, can achieve extraordinary things. Moreover, the curiosity of whether the company owner will strike the deal or not makes the program more interesting. This show can be a cause of motivation for others who want to go for business in future.