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Bottle Breacher is an interesting bottle opener that debuted in Season 6 of the popular entrepreneurial television show Shark Tank. It is a bottle opener crafted from dummy ammunition, typically .50 caliber rounds, providing a distinctive and manly aesthetic that appeals to military enthusiasts, patriots, and anyone interested in cool, functional conversation pieces.
The Bottle Breacher is designed to be both practical and symbolic. The product is not just a standard bottle opener – it’s a crafted piece of equipment with attention to detail, meant to resemble a .50 caliber bullet, a nod to the military and law enforcement communities.
The brand emphasizes its commitment to US craftsmanship and supporting military personnel by handcrafting each Bottle Breacher by active duty service members and veterans.
The heavy-duty design ensures it’s durable and long-lasting. It is polished, professionally engraved, and coated to give a top-notch, sleek appearance, making it a great gift for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or other special occasions.
Furthermore, Bottle Breacher offers customization options, allowing customers to personalize their Breacher with various designs, names, or logos, adding a personal touch to each product.
Bottle Breacher is about having a cool gadget to open your bottles and connect them to a greater cause. Part of the company’s profits goes to non-profit organizations that support veterans, active-duty military, and their families.
Thus, it’s a great choice for those who appreciate meaningful, functional items and wish to support veterans and active-duty military members. Lastly, Bottle Breacher’s appearance on Shark Tank boosted the company’s popularity, garnering it increased recognition and sales.
Bottle Breacher is a useful and stylish tool that provides a unique experience of opening a bottle, making it a fun and exciting addition to any gathering while promoting a meaningful cause. It’s a great choice for those who combine function, style, and patriotism in a single product.
Company Name | Bottle Breacher |
Entrepreneur | Eli Crane and Jen Crane |
Product | Bottle openers made from recycled 50-caliber bullets |
Investment Asking For | $150,000 for 10% equity in Bottle Breacher |
Final Deal | $150,000 For 20% equity in Bottle Breacher |
Shark | Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary |
Episode | Season 6, Episode 8 |
Business Status | In Business |
Website | Bottle Breacher Website |
Net Worth | $5 Million |
What Is Bottle Breacher?
Bottle Breacher is a company that manufactures unique, hand-crafted bottle openers. The company has a variety of products, with most of its bottle openers being made from once-fired ammunition. This gives the products a unique and authentic feel, making them functional items and interesting conversation pieces.
The company’s product lineup includes the popular “.50 Cal Bottle Openers,” made from .50 caliber BMG rounds. These are available in various colors and styles, including patriotic themes, custom collections, and even versions designed as gifts for first responders and law enforcement officers.
Bottle Breacher also offers a range of other merchandise and accessories, including coolers and gift packs. Their diverse product range encompasses everything from the “Freedom Frag Bottle Openers” to the “Let’s Go Brandon Gifts.”
Bottle Breacher’s commitment to quality sets it apart. Each bottle opener is hand-crafted with high attention to detail, ensuring the end product is functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The process involves several stages – from reloading and cutting the rounds to tumbling, cleaning, powder coating, laser engraving, repolishing, and quality control inspection.
Bottle Breacher’s purpose is also noteworthy. The company aims to bridge the gap between military and civilian life by creating a growing workforce that strives to understand and accept each other’s perspectives. They focus on personal and professional growth to succeed at work and within their community.
Bottle Breacher is more than just a company selling bottle openers; it’s a brand that stands for quality, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the military and first responders.
Who Is The Founder Of Bottle Breacher?
Bottle Breacher was founded by former Navy SEAL Eli Crane and his wife, Jen Crane. Eli served in the military for over 13 years, nine years as a Navy SEAL. His military background heavily influenced the creation of Bottle Breacher.
Jen’s business degree and entrepreneurial mindset were the other significant driving force behind the company’s establishment.
The idea for Bottle Breacher was conceived while Eli was still serving as a Navy SEAL. He wanted to create a unique, manly, and functional product that could also pay tribute to his military background.
Using decommissioned .50 caliber bullets, he started handcrafting bottle openers as a hobby, gifting them to friends and family. Seeing the positive response, he and Jen recognized the potential for a viable business.
The name “Bottle Breacher” was inspired by Eli’s time as a Navy SEAL Breacher, an expert trained in explosively or mechanically opening locked doors, windows, and other barricades.
Before their appearance on Shark Tank, the Cranes operated Bottle Breacher out of their one-car garage, balancing their new business with their responsibilities as parents of two young children.
The couple grew the business slowly and steadily, selling their product online, largely to the military community and gun enthusiasts. They took pride in their product being 100% made in the USA and that part of their profits were used to support veteran non-profit organizations.
Despite the initial success, Eli and Jen realized they needed additional capital and strategic partners to expand the company and its mission. This led them to apply for Shark Tank, hoping to garner financial investment and gain valuable mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs.
This was a great decision for the business, as their appearance on Shark Tank significantly boosted Bottle Breacher’s recognition and success.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Bottle Breacher?
Eli and Jen Crane entered the Shark Tank in Season 6, asking for $150,000 in exchange for a 10% equity stake in their company, Bottle Breacher, valuing the company at $1.5 million.
The Cranes began their pitch by explaining the concept behind their product – a .50 caliber shell casing refashioned into a bottle opener.
Eli’s charisma and military background quickly appealed to the Sharks, while Jen articulated the business plan and financials, demonstrating that they had achieved substantial online sales.
The Sharks were notably impressed with the product, its uniqueness, and the fact that it was made in the USA.
Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” appreciated the product’s gifting potential, while Daymond John and Mark Cuban were intrigued by the branding and the business’s social impact, particularly the company’s commitment to supporting veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Despite the product’s appeal, some Sharks expressed concern over the company’s scalability and how it could grow beyond its current customer base. Nonetheless, the Cranes’ hard work, military discipline, and dedication convinced two Sharks to make an offer.
Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban decided to team up and make an offer. They proposed $150,000 for a 20% stake in the business, doubling the equity stake the Cranes had initially offered.
After some deliberation, the Cranes accepted the deal, recognizing the value of having both Sharks’ expertise and connections backing their company.
The appearance on Shark Tank proved to be a major turning point for Bottle Breacher, significantly boosting the company’s sales and reputation.
With the investment and guidance from Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban, the Cranes could scale up their operations, expand their product line, and further their mission of supporting military personnel and veterans.
Final Deal: Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary agree to invest $150,000 for a 20% stake in Bottle Breacher.
What Happened To Bottle Breacher After Shark Tank?
After their appearance on Shark Tank, Bottle Breacher experienced significant growth and success. The exposure from the show propelled the company’s popularity and sales.
They received offers from two Sharks, Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban, who agreed to invest $150,000 for a 20% equity stake in the business, which the founders, Eli and Jen Crane, accepted. This investment and partnership with the Sharks helped the company scale up its operations and expand its product line.
As a result of its appearance on Shark Tank and the subsequent investment, Bottle Breacher moved its operations to Tucson, Arizona, where it continued to handcraft its unique bottle openers from once-fired ammunition, primarily .50 caliber bullets.
Bottle Breachers are known for their high quality and personalized engraving options, making them ideal for gifts and special occasions.
The company experienced rapid growth and achieved significant milestones. By October 2015, they reached $5 million in sales; by 2018, their revenues had approached $17 million.
The business’s success was further boosted by its dedication to customer service and the inclusion of veteran personnel in its workforce. Eli Crane, the founder of Bottle Breacher, even became a brand ambassador for Sig Sauer.
However, amidst the tremendous growth, the company faced some challenges, including website crashes due to high product demand. Yet, they overcame these hurdles and continued to thrive.
The popularity of their bottle openers led to increased sales, and they expanded their product offerings to include patriotic and Punisher-themed gift ideas.
In April 2022, Eli Crane decided to sell the company to Mike and Amber Wall for an undisclosed amount. Despite the ownership change, Bottle Breacher remained an active and successful business, with a net worth exceeding $5 million and annual sales reaching $4 million.
The company continued offering unique hand-crafted bottle openers made from recycled bullets and maintained its commitment to supporting veterans and offering high-quality, distinctive products.
Bottle Breacher Shark Tank Update
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, Bottle Breacher experienced a significant surge in sales and popularity. The massive exposure from the show brought the company into the spotlight, and the investment and mentorship from Kevin O’Leary and Mark Cuban facilitated substantial growth and expansion.
In the immediate aftermath of the show, the company struggled to keep up with the flood of orders. However, with their Shark partners’ help, the Cranes could scale up their operations to meet the demand.
They moved from their one-car garage to a 6,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, increasing their workforce significantly to handle production, which was particularly important given that each Bottle Breacher is handcrafted.
Since its Shark Tank appearance, Bottle Breacher has expanded its product line. While the original .50 caliber bottle opener remains their flagship product, they now offer a range of other goods, including wine openers, barware, apparel, and customized groomsmen gifts, all while maintaining their signature military-inspired aesthetic.
The company has continued to uphold its commitment to supporting veterans and active-duty military personnel. They’ve made it a point to employ veterans and have continued donating some of their profits to military charities.
Overall, the Shark Tank appearance catalyzed Bottle Breacher’s growth. The company has evolved from a small-scale operation in a one-car garage to a thriving, multi-product business with a national presence, all while maintaining its dedication to quality craftsmanship, supporting American jobs, and honoring the military community.
Is Bottle Breacher Still In Business?
Our research shows that Bottle Breacher appears to be still in business. The company is known for producing hand-crafted bottle openers made from once-fired ammunition, and they offer a variety of products, including patriotic and Punisher-themed gifts.
Additionally, Bottle Breacher supports the nonprofit organization SoldierStrong by donating a portion of their sales to fund BraveMind virtual reality software and hardware systems for treating veterans with post-traumatic stress at Veterans Affairs medical centers.
What Is the Net Worth of Bottle Breacher?
According to our research, the net worth of Bottle Breacher is estimated to be $5 million. The valuation of Bottle Breacher was $750,000 after securing an investment from Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary on Shark Tank.