Quench your thirst with a taste of the tropics – that’s what Victoria’s Kitchen Almond Water promises to deliver. A refreshing and healthy alternative to regular bottled water, this innovative beverage caught the attention of the Sharks in a bid to secure a deal. Find out what happened next on Shark Tank!
Victoria’s Kitchen was started by childhood sweethearts David and Deborah Meniane. Almond water is a crisp, light, refreshing drink that is popular in Europe. Almond Water is vegan and natural. It is safe to say that think drink gained popularity in the USA because of Victoria’s Kitchen.
The main ingredients of Almond Water are purified water, Almond, Cane Sugar, Vanilla and rose extract and citric acid. It is a refreshing alternative to lemonade or iced tea.
These two entrepreneurs brought the drink to the US market. In 2011, they bottled the product and gained significant popularity in 2012 through The Winter Fancy Food Show. In 2015, they went to Shark Tank seeking an investment of $200,000 for 20% equity.
Victoria’s Kitchen at a glance:
| Idea | It is a vegan, natural, refreshing drink. |
| Founders | David and Deborah Meniane |
| Asked for | $200,000 for 20% at a $1 million valuation |
| Accepted deal | No Offers |
| Sharks | No Shark |
| Business status | Acquired, Out of Business |
| Episode | Season 4 Episode 9 |
| Website | Victoria’s Kitchen |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy Now! |
Index:
Who are the Founders of Victoria’s Kitchen?
Victoria’s Kitchen was started by childhood sweethearts David and Deborah Meniane. David and Deborah relocated from France to the United States in 2001 after their marriage. David’s Grandmother victoria was the original producer of almond water.
She used to make Almon Water almost daily for her grandchildren. The couple carried their grandmother’s recipe to the USA and continued mixing the concoctions through the years.
“We are a great team, very complimentary and we work well together. We have been very successful in the natural and specialty channels since launching in 2012 and we are very excited to partner with a chain as innovative as Fresh & Easy. Their diversified and expanding cold box is the perfect home for our Almond Waters.,”
David said in an interview with heavy.com
Did Victoria’s Kitchen get a deal on Shark Tank?
In 2015, David and Deborah Meniane went to Shark Tank seeking an investment of $200,000 for 20% equity.
“I was telling myself that 15 years ago I moved to the US without speaking a word of English and right there I was having a conversation with Mark Cuban – one on one. The sharks invest their own money so they definitely take the whole process very seriously. When you talk to them, you almost forget about the cameras because it’s just a normal business conversation.”
David said in an interview.
But sadly, the investors were not impressed by their pitch and Victoria’s Kitchen was left without a deal. Mark Cuban said David came out as desperate. Barbara Corcoran questioned why their sales were dropping. Lori Greiner liked their packaging, and it tastes delicious but she refused to make the further deal.
Victoria’s kitchen net worth:
At the time of the shark tank appearance, Victoria’s kitchen was valued at around $1 million. Victoria’s Kitchen sold over a million units. In the first year, they made sales of $160,000.
In the second year, $330,000, and In the third year before appearing on Shark Tank their Business had thrived up to $230,000 after Shark Tank they observed a significant increase in the demand for almond water and sold units worth $30,000.
They experienced a decline in sales after some unsuccessful attempts of introducing new flavors. Before coming to Shark Tank, they had already made $250,000 in investments and they needed to salvage and expand the company.
How does Victoria’s Kitchen make money?
Victoria’s kitchen almond water is available in many packaging which costs from $2 to $10 on many websites. Although they did everything from sales, manufacturing, and merchandising, they worked with suppliers, carriers, and manufacturers on a daily basis.
Initially, they began by going door to door around Los Angeles to a few independent stores, which resulted in the opening of a few accounts. In January 2012, they debuted at the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, which is when they really began to grow and open larger accounts.
The drink comes in 2 flavors – Original and coconut. Which was distributed by UNFI, Nature’s Best, Market Center, Crown Pacific Fine Foods, and other regional distributors. Victoria’s Kitchen Almonds water was available in over 800 stores in numerous supermarkets nationwide.
Victoria’s kitchen revenue:
The company sold more than a million units and the revenue generated was more than 1.4 million dollars. In 2017 Hispanica International agreed to acquire Victoria’s Kitchen.
In the first year itself, Victoria’s Kitchen made sales worth $160,000. In the second year, they made $330,000. And in the third year, they were at $230,000.
Is Victoria’s Kitchen still in business?
In 2017, Victoria’s Kitchen was acquired by Hispanica International which later changed its name to Life On Earth. David Meniane is now working as an Executive Vice President at L.A. Libations, a beverage company in North America with ties to Coca-Cola, which works closely with Zico Coconut Water.
Interesting facts about Victoria’s Kitchen:
- In 2015, Victoria’s Kitchen received the Gold Award winner, liquid refreshment category of Beverage World’s global packaging design awards.
- In 2012, Victoria’s Kitchen appeared on the Fancy Food Show which helped them open larger accounts.
- David included his grandmother in the company at every possible opportunity. While talking about her he said “My grandmother is such an amazing woman. All she talks about is family and food. She shows her love through her cooking,” he said. “We wanted our products to reflect that. Our beverages are about love and family traditions.”
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What is Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water?
Almond water is a crisp, light, refreshing drink that is popular in Europe. Almond Water is vegan and natural. It is safe to say that think drink gained popularity in the USA because of Victoria’s Kitchen.
Who Founded Victoria's Kitchen Almond Water?
Victoria’s Kitchen was started by childhood sweethearts David and Deborah Meniane.
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