Fridge Fronts Shark Tank Update: Is it still in business?

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the most expensive projects a homeowner can take on. In 2026, the median cost for a major kitchen renovation is a staggering $55,000.

Because of these high prices, many people are looking for smart, budget-friendly ways to update their spaces. This ongoing search for affordable style is exactly what makes Fridge Fronts, a clever product pitched in the very first season of Shark Tank, so relevant today.

Fridge Fronts was created to solve a common problem. It was designed to give plain, scratched, or outdated refrigerators a completely fresh look without the need to buy a brand-new appliance. By using large, decorative magnetic skins, users could instantly transform an ordinary metal door into a stylish piece of art.

Today, the spirit of that original Shark Tank pitch lives on under a new company name. Whether you want to hide a scratched door, match your kitchen’s side panels, or try out the latest 2026 interior design trends, here is everything you need to know about Fridge Fronts, its current successor company, and where the founder is today.

What Is Fridge Fronts?

Fridge Fronts is a highly practical home improvement product. It is a large, flexible magnetic skin designed to stick directly to the front of a refrigerator. The main goal is to improve your kitchen’s look quickly, easily, and affordably.

Instead of throwing away a perfectly good refrigerator just because the outside is stained or the color no longer matches your cabinets, you can simply unroll a Fridge Fronts magnet and place it over the metal doors.

The magnetic backing makes the application process incredibly easy. There is no need for messy glues, special tools, or expensive professional installers. If you make a mistake or apply it crookedly, you simply peel it off and adjust it.

These skins are built for durability to withstand the daily bumps and scratches of a busy kitchen.

Furthermore, because they are magnetic, they are completely renter-friendly. You can peel them off when you move out, leaving the original appliance perfectly intact.

From Fridge Fronts to Best Appliance Skins

After a successful run, the original Fridge Fronts business was sold to new owners in 2013. Today, the company operates under the name Best Appliance Skins.

Under this new brand, the product line has grown massively to keep up with modern technology and customer demands.

In 2026, Best Appliance Skins offers a highly versatile lineup. They provide skins for refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers.

Because many modern stainless steel appliances are no longer magnetic, the company also offers their designs in a removable adhesive film. This ensures that anyone can use the product, regardless of what material their fridge is made of.

The variety of designs is massive. Customers can choose from an image library containing over 1 million different options.

If you still cannot find a design you like, the company now offers a custom upload feature. You can upload your own personal family photos, custom artwork, or exact color swatches, and they will print a custom skin just for your kitchen.

The Founder’s Story: Who Is Jan Augenstein?

Fridge Fronts was invented by Jan Augenstein. Like many great inventions, her idea was born out of personal frustration and a sharp eye for design.

Jan’s background is deeply rooted in art and nature. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Wright State University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Education from Boston University.

As a military wife, she spent time living in Europe, where she worked as a florist and developed a deep love for arranging flowers and interior design.

When she returned to the United States, she wanted to buy a flower shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio, but the finances just did not work out. In 1999, while living in military base housing, she found herself staring at a very plain, ugly refrigerator.

She noticed that almost everyone uses their fridge as a canvas, sticking up family photos, grocery lists, and small magnets. She realized that the refrigerator was naturally the central focal point of the home.

Using her background in design, Jan came up with the idea to cover the entire fridge door with one large, beautiful magnetic sheet. She and her brother believed in the idea so much that they invested $250,000 of their own money to get the business off the ground.

At first, things went well. Jan managed to get her product featured in SkyMall, a famous inflight shopping magazine. That single advertisement cost her $18,000, but it brought in $40,000 in sales. She also landed a feature on the popular Rachael Ray television show.

However, running a small business comes with massive challenges. The TV appearance brought so much traffic that it completely crashed her website. Even worse, the small printing company she hired to make her products suddenly went bankrupt.

Jan had already paid them for a massive print run, and she literally had to buy her own products back from the bankruptcy courts to save her inventory. She urgently needed cash and business guidance to keep her dream alive, which led her to the Shark Tank.

The Shark Tank Pitch: A Look Back at Season 1

Jan Augenstein stepped into the Shark Tank seeking an investment of $100,000 in exchange for 30% equity in Fridge Fronts. This request placed the value of her company at roughly $333,333.

She confidently presented her product using an old, ugly refrigerator. Right in front of the Sharks, she demonstrated how easily a magnetic skin could be applied and trimmed to fit the appliance perfectly.

She showed off her most popular finishes, including a faux stainless-steel look, a white wood look, and various funky art patterns.

The Sharks asked tough questions about her sales and inventory. When Jan explained her small profit margins and the high cost of her SkyMall ads, the panel was split on whether the business was a good investment.

• Kevin O’Leary stated that he saw Fridge Fronts as a neat product, but not a full company. He dropped out.
• Robert Herjavec thought the product was a fun novelty but felt the overall market was simply too small. He also dropped out.
• Daymond John did not feel passionate about the kitchen decor space and could not see how he could add value, so he withdrew.

That left Barbara Corcoran and Kevin Harrington. Barbara loved the concept but was worried about the high costs of printing so many different designs. She told Jan she would invest if the company strictly focused on its three best-selling designs.

Kevin Harrington, an expert in television infomercials and direct-to-consumer sales, loved that Jan had proven her product could sell through mail-order channels like SkyMall.

Together, Barbara and Kevin teamed up. They offered Jan the $100,000 she needed, but they asked for a combined 50% stake in the business.

Knowing that this investment was her best chance to save her struggling company and pay her brother back, Jan accepted the deal on the spot.

What Happened to Fridge Fronts After Shark Tank?

The exposure from Shark Tank was a massive turning point for the company. Millions of viewers learned that they did not have to live with ugly kitchen appliances.

The investment and the mentorship helped Jan stabilize her supply chain and expand her inventory without worrying about bankruptcy courts.

With her newfound footing, Jan grew the company’s digital presence. Despite the early setbacks and the tough feedback from some of the Sharks, Jan turned Fridge Fronts into a profitable, highly rated business. She proved that there was a real demand for affordable kitchen customization.

The 2013 Acquisition by Best Appliance Skins

In business, reaching a successful exit is the ultimate goal for many founders. In 2013, having built a solid customer base and a proven product, Jan Augenstein officially sold the Fridge Fronts business.

The company was acquired by new owners for an undisclosed sum of money, and they rebranded the platform as Best Appliance Skins. The new ownership kept the core business model exactly the same but modernized the technology.

They built a faster, mobile-friendly website and vastly expanded the printing capabilities so customers no longer had to trim the magnets themselves.

Best Appliance Skins in 2026: Pricing and Products

Today, Best Appliance Skins is a thriving business. They proudly manufacture all their products in the United States, ensuring fast shipping and high-quality prints.

Alongside their main website, they also run a highly rated Etsy shop based out of Buford, Georgia, which boasts hundreds of recent sales and excellent customer reviews.

If you are looking to update your kitchen in 2026, the company offers a massive catalog. Here is a look at what they currently sell and what you can expect to spend:

Product Category	Description	2026 Estimated Price Range
Dishwasher Skins	Magnetic and adhesive covers sized perfectly for standard dishwashers (e.g., 24″ x 24″).	$39.95 – $49.95
Refrigerator Skins	Large panels for standard fridges. Designs range from plain colors to scenic artwork.	$99.95 – $109.95
Custom Upload Skins	Print your own photos or custom artwork on extra-large skins (up to 36″ x 70″).	$114.95 – $124.95
Faux Stainless Steel	A budget-friendly way to match mismatched appliances to a stainless steel kitchen.	$49.95 – $124.95

Customers frequently use these skins to solve specific design problems. For example, if a homeowner buys a new stainless-steel fridge, they might use a gloss black or solid white skin on the exposed side panels so the appliance blends smoothly into their existing cabinets.

Where is Founder Jan Augenstein in 2026?

Jan Augenstein’s journey is an inspiring story of resilience. After successfully selling her company in 2013, she did not retire. Instead, she took her passion for homes and interior design to the next level.

In 2026, Jan is a highly successful and active real estate agent in Ohio. She works with RE/MAX Victory + Affiliates as part of The Blakley Branch, serving the Dayton, Fairborn, and Yellow Springs areas. She has over 24 years of experience in the real estate industry and is widely recognized for her expertise.

Her original invention, Fridge Fronts, was all about making a kitchen look better. Today, she applies those exact same skills as a professional home stager.

Jan uses her keen eye for design to stage homes for her real estate clients, helping them sell their properties faster and for more money.

Her online profiles showcase a thriving career, with active home sales closing in late 2025 and early 2026. For example, in March 2026, she successfully represented the seller of a property in Fairborn, Ohio that closed for $185,000.

When she is not selling homes, Jan enjoys spending time with her family, her pets, her backyard chickens, and tending to her small flower farm. Her story proves that a great entrepreneurial mindset never fades; it simply evolves into new passions.

Why Appliance Skins Are Surging in 2026 Kitchen Trends

You might wonder why a product from Season 1 of Shark Tank is still highly relevant more than a decade later. The answer lies in the massive shift in interior design trends and the current state of the global market.

The global market for refrigerator magnets and decorative skins is booming. In 2025, the market was valued at a massive $2.85 billion, and it is projected to grow to $4.29 billion by 2031. This growth is driven by people wanting to personalize their homes without spending a fortune.

Because a major kitchen overhaul now costs upwards of $55,000, many people simply cannot afford to rip out their cabinets and buy all new smart appliances. Instead, 2026 is the year of the “DIY Makeover.” Homeowners and renters are turning to affordable hacks to refresh their spaces.

The Rise of “Warm Minimalism”

For years, the standard kitchen trend was the “All-White Kitchen” paired with cold, silver stainless steel appliances. In 2026, that trend is officially out.

Top interior design reports show that people now crave a style called “Warm Minimalism”. This style focuses on earthy tones, soft greens, warm blues, and rich wood grains.

People are swapping out cold silver hardware for unlacquered brass, and they are moving away from sterile, hospital-like white kitchens.

Feature	The Old Trend (2018-2022)	The New 2026 Trend
Color Palette	Stark White & Cool Gray	Warm Neutrals, Earthy Greens, Soft Blues
Hardware	Polished Chrome / Silver	Unlacquered Brass, Bronze, Leather Pulls
Appliances	Uniform Stainless Steel	Bold Colors, Custom Panels, Wood Grain
Overall Vibe	Sterile and Clinical	Warm, Cozy, and Highly Personalized

Appliance skins from companies like Best Appliance Skins fit this 2026 trend perfectly. If your kitchen feels too cold and sterile, you do not need to buy a $3,000 custom-paneled refrigerator.

Instead, for around $100, you can apply a matte-colored skin, a wood-grain design, or a warm, earthy pattern right over your existing fridge.

Furthermore, younger generations prioritize sustainability and waste reduction. Throwing away a perfectly functional dishwasher or refrigerator just because the outside color is outdated is no longer popular.

By covering up cosmetic flaws with a decorative skin, consumers extend the life of their major appliances while keeping perfectly good machinery out of landfills.

Fridge Fronts Net Worth and Final Valuation

Because Jan Augenstein sold Fridge Fronts to a private company in 2013, the exact final net worth of the brand and the final purchase price remain completely undisclosed.

However, during her Shark Tank pitch, her deal with Kevin Harrington and Barbara Corcoran valued the company at $200,000.

Given the fact that the business transitioned to a robust, modern e-commerce platform that successfully operates to this day with a catalog of over 1 million designs, it is clear that the brand found long-term financial success.

The Bottom Line

The story of Fridge Fronts is a classic example of American entrepreneurship. Jan Augenstein identified a simple, everyday problem in military base housing and created a smart, affordable solution.

She navigated massive roadblocks, survived a manufacturer’s bankruptcy, faced the intense pressure of the Shark Tank, and successfully brought her product to the masses.

In 2026, as home design trends shift heavily toward custom, warm, and personalized kitchens, the concept of magnetic appliance skins is more brilliant than ever.

Whether you call it Fridge Fronts or Best Appliance Skins, this affordable DIY upgrade continues to help people turn their houses into beautiful homes.