Rebel Cheese Net Worth 2024 Update & Their Shark Tank Pitch!

Rebel Cheese, a vegan cheese restaurant founded by Kirsten Maitland and Fred Zwar, aired on the 15th season of Shark Tank USA in 2023. The founders were seeking $750,000 for 5% equity for their business. However, they secured a deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, which was $750,000 for 10% equity. In this article, we will explore Rebel Cheese’s net worth in 2024, its Shark Tank pitch summary and more.

Rebel Cheese Net Worth

As of 2024, Rebel Cheese’s net worth is estimated at $15 million, and its annual revenue was $3.5 million in 2023.

Rebel Cheese Net Worth Timeline

Shark Tank Rebel Cheese Update from Season 15 

Fred Zwar and Kristen Maitland entered Shark Tank, seeking $750,000 for 5% equity, valuing the company at $15 million. They shared their story, explaining how Fred used to plan European-style picnics. After going vegan, they missed the cheesy picnics and tried to find high-quality, artisan vegan cheese. Because their search failed, they created their vegan cheese brand called Rebel Cheese, which uses plant-based ingredients. 

In the Shark Tank, they said their goal is to reshape the cheese industry. During their pitch, the couple let the sharks sample their five best-selling cheeses, which were Brie, Honey Pistachio Chèvre, Pimento, Sharp Cheddar, and Sun-Dried Tomato Fermage. Kevin O’Leary asked about the ingredients, and Kristen explained that each cheese is made from a mix of plant-based ingredients like cashews, water, salt, and cultures. Further, she highlighted that their unique techniques give them an edge over competitors. 

Robert Herjavec then asked if Rebel Cheese was the only company making vegan cheese. Kristen confirmed that no other company produced artisan vegan cheese on such a large scale. She added that their new facility now makes 8 million wheels of cheese each year.

Emma Grede asked about Rebel Cheese’s business model. There, they said that Rebel Cheese operates through three main channels and said about 16% of their business comes from e-commerce and subscription services, and another 17% comes from their wholesale program. Further Fred said the remaining 65% comes from their restaurant in Austin, Texas. 

But, when COVID-19 hit, they had to shift their focus to e-commerce, which allowed them to expand into over 100 retail stores. Lori Greiner then asked if Rebel Cheese had partnered with any significant retailers. There, Kristen explained that even though a Supermarket chain called Whole Foods Market showed interest in the company, we weren’t ready to handle such an important partnership yet. At that moment, Mark Cuban praised them for recognizing their limits and not overextending them.

Kevin asked how Rebel Cheese prices compared to traditional high-end Brie. Fred explained that each wheel costs $4.67 to make, including labour and overhead. The product reaches retail platforms at $9 per unit, with a retail price of $15 to $20. In comparison, premium traditional cheese sells for $10 to $20 per wheel.

Afterward, Robert asked about Rebel Cheese’s sales. Fred shared that they had made $2.5 million and expected to reach 2023 with $3.5 million in sales. Kevin then asked about the pre-tax profit on $3.5 million in sales. Fred explained that the business had been profitable for four years, but they expect to break even this year due to the costs of building a new facility. 

Further, they explained that with plans to expand to 500 stores next year, they needed a shark’s help to move forward. However, Kevin was the first Shark to drop out of the deal because he disagreed with the high valuation. But, shortly after, Mark Cuban offered $750,000 for 10% equity. At that moment, before the couple could respond Mark’s offer, Lori Greiner also expressed interest in joining the deal.

Lori mentioned further that she co-owns Boarderie, a successful cheese and charcuterie board company. She and Mark then agreed to team up and offer $750,000 for 10% equity. At that moment, Robert Herjavec and Emma Grede then dropped out of the negotiations of the deal. There, Robert said he wasn’t a big cheese fan, and Emma said she didn’t like the product much.

However, Fred offered 6% equity in response to Mark and Lori’s offer, but the Sharks weren’t interested in it. Next, Kristen proposed $1 million for 10% equity, which sharks also declined. Then, Fred and Kristen continued to negotiate but risked losing the deal. In the end, they accepted Mark and Lori’s initial offer, valuing the company at $7.5 million and left the Shark Tank with a deal.

Summary of the Sharks’ Deal List!

What Happened to Rebel Cheese after Shark Tank?

As of September 2024, the Rebel Cheese is still in business. Since appearing on ‘Shark Tank,’ Rebel Cheese has seen a surge in customers and increased demand for their products. However, in the Shark Tank, although they deal with Mark and Lori, the Rebel Cheese website is now offering custom boxes named Mr Wonderful’s Box and Mark’s Box. Does it mean the deal changed from Lori to Mr Wonderful? But, we couldn’t find any answer regarding it.

However, Rebel Cheese serves around 14,000 customers and produces about 20,000 pounds of cheese each month. Also, it offers a wide variety of cheese flavours to its customers, and they can enjoy options like Sundried Tomato Fromage, Pepper Jack, Gruyere, Parmesan, Truffle Brie, and more, either through its website or at its restaurant.   

Rebel Cheese Founders

Kirsten Maitland and Fred Zwar are the founders of Rebel Cheese which was started in 2019. They are husband and wife and the duo had a strong passion for food. Kirsten, in particular, loved cheese and ate it with nearly every meal. However, her habits changed a day after she read Dr. Michael Greger’s book, How Not to Die.

The book opened her eyes to the risks of dairy, and she gave up cheese overnight. Then, Kirsten and Fred wanted healthier options but couldn’t find what they needed. So, they decided to create their own and worked with dairy experts to find the right solution. Then, they followed a careful process and created a company called Rebel Cheese, making their cheeses in small batches and using hand-made techniques to ensure the best quality.

Kirsten earned a Business Administration degree from the University of Washington. She also served as a Navy veteran and worked for over 12 years as a tech consultant for major companies like Blackberry, Microsoft, and Dell. Fred, her husband and co-founder, works as a construction executive and consultant. However, Kirsten Maitland and Fred Zwar’s net worth is unknown as of 2024.

Rebel Cheese Achievements and Awards

Conclusion

Shark Tank is a TV show showcasing different business ideas, helping them succeed. Rebel Cheese was one of the ventures featured on the show. They made a deal with Kirsten Maitland and Fred Zwar, showing that success is possible with the right idea and execution. Now, we eagerly await to see how their success story unfolds in the future.

Before you leave, check out the other company updates in Season 15, Episode 09. 

• The Pocket Panty Net Worth 2024 Update & Their Shark Tank Pitch!
• FlyWithWine Net Worth 2024 Update & Their Shark Tank Pitch!
• CAKES body Net Worth 2024 Update & Their Shark Tank Pitch!