Table of Contents
Tailgate N Go is a new and revolutionary way to enjoy your favorite tailgating foods and drinks without all the hassle! With Tailgate N Go, you need a cooler and a grill, and you’re good to go! No more lugging around heavy coolers, grills, and other tailgating gear.
Tailgate N Go was invented by two college friends who were tired of the hassle of traditional tailgating. They wanted to create a way to tailgate that was easy and convenient without sacrificing the fun and excitement of the experience.
Tailgate N Go is the perfect solution for anyone who loves tailgating but doesn’t love the hassle. It’s also great for those new to tailgating who want to try it out without all the hassle.
What is Tailgate N Go?
Tailgate N Go is a portable barbecue grill and dry box used on the back of a car for outdoor cooking. You can use it for tailgating barbecues, backyard barbecues, camping trips, and picnics, as well as for tailgating barbecues in the parking lot before a big game.
Tailgate N Go features storage compartments for food, beverages, and cooking equipment. Tailgate N Go was inspired by a question Ron addressed to his daughter Taylor as she prepared for a lakeside family barbecue.
Tailgate N Go is a unique and innovative mobile food concept featured on Shark Tank. The company offers a variety of delicious food items that are perfect for tailgating, sporting events, and other outdoor activities. Tailgate N Go was created by two former college football players who know firsthand how important it is to have good food when tailgating.
The company offers a wide variety of food items, including chicken wings, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and wraps. All of the food is made fresh and is never frozen. The company also offers a variety of sides and desserts.
Tailgate N Go is a great option for those who enjoy food without cooking. The food is affordable, and no need to worry about cleaning up. The mobile food concept is perfect for tailgating, sporting events, and other outdoor activities.
| Company Name | Tailgate N Go |
| Entrepreneur | Taylor Johnson, Ron Johnson, and Kobe Johnson |
| Product / Business | Outdoor kitchen and dry box that is portable and easy to use |
| Investment Asking For | $250,000 for a 10% stake in Tailgate N Go |
| Final Deal | $250,000 for 20% + $50 royalty in Tailgate N Go until $250,000 is repaid |
| Shark | Matt Higgins |
| Episode | Season 11, Episode 5 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Website | Visit Website |
Who is the Founder of Tailgate N Go?
Taylor Johnson, Ron Johnson’s daughter, and Kobe Johnson are the founders of Tailgate N Go. This family came up with the idea while camping.
While unpacking their camping gear, they realized several essentials, including cooking oil, spices, and cooking utensils, needed to be noticed. Additionally, they already had a full table for cooking and preparing food after unpacking their other belongings.
The Johnsons realized there had to be a more efficient way to cook since they did not have an appliance. The family determined that the best device for storing their culinary things would be a container with all the necessary compartments.
You could even make a miniature kitchen out of the box. The Johnsons developed what was originally called a chuck box after much deliberation. It is a metal box that can store all camping-related kitchen items. Tailgate N Go was the name the Johnsons chose for their invention in search of a distinctive moniker.
The portable kitchen built by Tailgate N Go is manufactured using aircraft-grade aluminum, making it suitable for any camping lifestyle. Furthermore, it is lightweight, which makes it easier to move around.
With the Tailgate N Go, you can open bottles, hang towels, hang garbage bags, hang knives, store utensils, use chopping boards, and even hang paper towels. There are also many storage compartments and a safety lock that keeps animals and children from getting into the box.
Ron Johnson created the Tailgate-N-Go with a built-in grill, griddle, single-burner stove, small sink, and a lot of handy storage. It was important to the Johnsons to include everything a camper may need in their kitchen. You can set up this portable kitchen on the tailgate of a truck, on the ground, on a table, or a stand.
They exhibited the Tailgate N Go at trade shows after developing multiple prototypes and obtaining patents. During these trade exhibitions, the Johnsons paid close attention to each customer’s reaction to the product. The Johnsons sold quite a few items due to all the positive responses.
The Tailgate N Go was exhibited at trade shows for approximately a year before Shark Tank offered it to the sharks. The family established a portable kitchen business during that period, and over 100 portable kitchens were sold.
However, the family was willing to take a gamble by formally presenting the goods to the sharks in the hopes of exiting the stage with a contract. Are the Johnsons able to obtain an investment? Let’s find out.
Tailgate N Go Before Shark Tank
The Johnson brothers and their father, Ron, are passionate campers from Grand Junction, Colorado. They realized they had forgotten a spatula while camping and were ready to cook when they realized they had forgotten it.
Ron designed a portable, modular outdoor kitchen after not finding a single kitchen tool for his camping, fishing, and tailgate parties. Whether you are traveling to a campsite, fishing trip, or tailgate party, your vehicle will be equipped with everything you need for any outdoor adventure.
This kitchen is designed like a modern “chuck box.” Chuck boxes are metal containers that store everything a camper needs to cook while away from home.
The Johnsons’ portable kitchen is known as the Tailgate N Go. Durable and lightweight, it is made from aircraft aluminum. In addition, the Johnsons have anticipated every potential roadside requirement.
A butterfly latch on the exterior keeps bears at bay, plus a bottle opener and hooks for towels and trash bags. A knife magnet, paper towel holder, and several storage compartments are contained within the container. Ron’s rail system allows attachments like stove burners, griddles, grills, and even a folding sink to be mounted.
The company believed that other campers and tailgaters would be interested in their product, so they exhibited it at trade shows to sell their product and gauge client interest. There was an overwhelmingly positive response. They sold over 100 kitchens before appearing on Shark Tank 18 months earlier.
Tailgate N Go Shark Tank Recap
The Johnsons appeared on Shark Tank requesting an investment of $250,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in Tailgate N Go. Creating a portable outdoor kitchen with everything in a single 360-degree box motivated Ron, Taylor, and Kobe Johnson to build Tailgate N Go. It was exhausting for the family not to have what they needed while camping because they were missing kitchen goods.
The Tailgate N Go was born instantly. With these modular boxes, you can set up a kitchen wherever you like, which contains all the essential kitchen essentials for a camping trip or tailgating event.
The family let their products speak for themselves during the pitch. The company also boasted about two provisional patents it held on components of the boxes. The company has also sold more than 100 units in its first half.
The entrepreneurs, however, revealed that their production costs are extraordinarily high, as the sharks inquired. The cost of the devices themselves ranges from $1,000 to $1,500. Their production costs exceed $700 per unit.
Mark Cuban commended the family’s dedication to the American dream. He was, however, excluded since he did not like camp. Daymond John and Lori Greiner followed suit, as they were unwilling to participate due to the hefty production costs.
Kevin O’Leary proposed incorporating the concept into his ‘chef amazing’ brand. He offered the Johnsons a $250,000 line of credit at 10% interest in exchange for a 10% ownership in the company but stipulated that $100 in perpetual royalties be paid for each unit sold.
Unfortunately, they rejected Kevin’s offer, objecting to the line of the credit arrangement. However, they did not go without a deal. After negotiating the counteroffer, they convinced Matt Higgins to join them for $250,000 in exchange for 20% stock and a $50 royalty per unit sold.
Final Deal: Matt Higgins agreed to invest $250,000 for 20% + $50 royalty in Tailgate N Go until $250,000 is repaid.
What Happened To Tailgate N Go After Shark Tank?
A visit to the Tail N Go website reveals that the tiniest box is no longer available, but the full-sized box and the Overlander are available for $1,550 and $1,450, respectively. Additional goods for sale are compatible with the rail system, including a sink, griddle, cutting board, stove burner, and grill.
However, it appears that the Johnsons have good news on the horizon. Matt assisted them in concluding a licensing agreement with the NFL to design the boxes for each NFL team. This might be a major development for the company.
They could not attend trade shows or increase sales due to the Coronavirus. However, as Matt stated, there is great potential in designing portable kitchens, especially since tailgaters are so committed to their setups. Also, they are extremely loyal to their teams.
It is not just the NFL with tailgating fans; other professional and collegiate sports teams also have tailgating fans. The Johnsons appear to be on the verge of earning several championship seasons.
Tailgate N Go Shark Tank Update
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, the Johnsons have executed an investment agreement with Matt. Although they have completed their agreement with the shark, their business continues to thrive. They have increased their inventory and are prospering daily.
Tailgate-N-Go announced their collaboration with the NFL in July of 2021. This agreement has allowed the company to produce customized chuck boxes bearing the emblem and colors of NFL teams.
You can customize the Tailgate N Go box with the logos and colors of various NCAA teams. You can purchase the crates from Amazon or tailgatengo.com. They were able to overcome these difficulties with the help of their shark Matt and the NFL and NCAA teams during the height of the pandemic.
Tailgate-N-Go made $400,000 in sales within the first few months of appearing on Shark Tank, and their pre-show sales spiked by 60%. Tailgate N Go is a phenomenal business that the Johnsons’ clients adore as of 2022.
Is Tailgate N Go Still in Business?
Yes, Tailgate N Go is still in business as of 2022 and has been doing exceptionally well. The Johnson family has been spending time with their investor Matt Higgins since the Johnsons appeared on Shark Tank; Matt not only helped the family secure a license agreement with the NFL and all 32 football clubs but brought the family to Miami for the Super Bowl!
What is the Net Worth of Tailgate N Go?
The valuation of Tailgate N Go was $2.5 million when it appeared on Shark Tank. The net worth of Tailgate N Go is $5 million, with annual revenue of $1 million as of 2022.
