During the pandemic, many people really missed going out to their favorite restaurants. Joseph and Anh Trousdale were among them, especially when it came to their favorite Vietnamese dish, pho. As essential workers, they had busy schedules and didn’t have time to enjoy dining out. Unfortunately, the instant pho available in grocery stores just didn’t taste right to them; it was missing the delicious, authentic flavors they loved.
Because they wanted to recreate that taste at home, Joseph and Anh decided to create their own product called PhoLicious. This instant pho can be made in just five minutes while still tasting like the traditional homemade version. Their goal was to bring the genuine flavors of Vietnamese cuisine into American homes.
To help grow their business, they appeared on the TV show “Shark Tank” during its 16th season. They asked for $500,000 in exchange for a 10% share of their company, which would help them produce more pho and get it into more stores.
Pholicious Foods Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Joseph and Anh were looking for an investment of $500k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $5 million. Joseph and Anh successfully secured a deal with Kevin O’Leary for an investment of $500k for 15% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $3.33 million. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of PhoLicious in 2025is around $10 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Daniel Lubetzky
$500,000 for 20% equity
$500,000 for 12% equity
No
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
1# $500,000 for 20% equity
2# $500,000 for 15% equity
N/A
Yes
Robert Herjavec
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Joseph and Anh Trousdale Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Joseph and Anh Trousdale are a married couple who really missed the taste of authentic Vietnamese pho during the pandemic. They found that the instant pho available in stores just didn’t satisfy their cravings, so they decided to make their own version at home. They used a recipe from their family to create a product called PhoLicious. This is an instant pho that’s not only quick to prepare but also easy to make.
Each serving comes with a special “pho tea bag” that contains various spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, which help to give the broth a rich and authentic taste.
Starting their business wasn’t easy. They had to work hard to refine their recipe and find a suitable manufacturer, and they even sold their house to fund their venture. After overcoming these challenges, they successfully launched PhoLicious in May 2021.
When they pitched their product on the show Shark Tank, they demonstrated how easy it is to make PhoLicious in just five minutes to prepare, and it tastes like homemade pho. They also shared some impressive numbers, showing how their sales grew dramatically from $68,000 in 2021 to $2.1 million in 2023.
In their pitch, they asked for $500,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in their company, which they intended to use to increase production and expand their sales reach.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Kevin O’Leary: He really liked the product and believed it could do well. He offered to invest $500,000 in exchange for 20% of the business. He promised he would help them significantly increase their sales within two months. Joseph and Anh wanted to give up only 12% of their business, so Kevin met them halfway with a 15% offer, and they accepted it.
Daniel Lubetzky: He also liked what Joseph and Anh were doing and offered the same amount as Kevin, $500,000 for 20% of the business. He highlighted his experience in the food industry to show he could help. However, when Joseph and Anh suggested giving only 12% ownership, Daniel turned down their counteroffer.
Lori Greiner: After hearing the others’ offers, Lori felt they were better than what she could provide, so she decided not to participate.
Robert Herjavec: He admired the product too, but thought the other investors might be a better match for Joseph and Anh’s needs. Therefore, he stepped back.
Mark Cuban: Mark had concerns about the business being too reliant on physical shelf space in stores and worried about competing on prices, which led him to decide not to invest.
In the end, Joseph and Anh partnered with Kevin O’Leary.
Product Availability
PhoLicious is a food company that specializes in selling instant pho, which is a delicious Vietnamese noodle soup. Their version of pho is easy to prepare and packed with rich, authentic flavors. When you purchase their product, each bowl includes a special “pho tea bag” that enhances the taste even more.
Customers can customize their pho by adding fresh toppings like herbs, lime, or bean sprouts to make the dish even tastier. You can find PhoLicious products at over 450 Walmart stores and 150 Sam’s Club locations, making it widely accessible. Additionally, you can buy it online through the PhoLicious website or on Amazon. Each bowl costs $5.48.
What Happened To The Pholicious Foods After Shark Tank?
PhoLicious, a company that sells pho (a type of Vietnamese soup), experienced a big increase in sales after being featured on the TV show Shark Tank. They made a business deal with Kevin O’Leary, one of the show’s investors, which allowed them to sell their products in more stores. Today, PhoLicious is still operating successfully and expanding.
In late 2024, they participated in an event called the Walmart Open Call, where businesses pitch their products to possibly get them sold at Walmart. Instead of pitching their own products, PhoLicious served as a mentor, sharing their experiences and advice with other entrepreneurs. This shows that they have gained recognition and respect in the business world, and they are willing to help others grow as well.
PhoLicious is a brand that makes instant pho, a popular Vietnamese noodle soup. Joseph and Anh, the couple behind PhoLicious, successfully pitched their product on the TV show “Shark Tank.” During their presentation, they confidently showcased their product and impressed Kevin O’Leary, one of the investors (known as Sharks) on the show.
Despite some concerns from other investors, Kevin saw the potential in their sales and the authenticity of their pho, and he decided to fund their business.
Following their appearance on “Shark Tank,” PhoLicious saw a big increase in sales. The product became available in many more stores, including hundreds of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the country. With Kevin’s help and investment, Joseph and Anh expect their business to continue growing.
Their journey illustrates how a simple idea, motivated by their own experiences and desire to share their culture, can evolve into a successful business. PhoLicious isn’t just selling instant food; they are sharing a piece of Vietnamese culture and flavor with people all over America.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.
