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Wicked Good Cupcakes: A Delicious Journey of Innovation and Success
Wicked Good Cupcakes, a Boston-based baking company, gained recognition after being featured on season 4 of the popular TV show Shark Tank.
Wicked Good Cupcakes offers a delightful twist on traditional treats with their indulgent flavors and high-quality ingredients. You will turn any moment into a celebration with each jar filled with deliciousness.
Wicked Good Cupcakes offers a diverse selection of flavors, from traditional chocolate to vanilla to seasonal specialties.
You can find all the sweet indulgences you’re craving or find the perfect gift at Wicked Good Cupcakes, where each customer is promised a wickedly sweet experience that keeps them coming back for more.
Tracey Noonan and Danielle Desroches founded Wicked Good Cupcakes to revolutionize the cupcake industry by introducing the concept of jarred cupcakes.
Gourmet cupcakes are baked directly inside reusable glass jars and layered with frosting to create visually appealing desserts. The innovative approach ensures easy transportation, extended shelf life as well as damage-free nationwide shipping.
The distinctive packaging of the cupcakes maintains their taste and quality while also giving them a charming appearance that makes them stand out from conventional cupcakes.
The sealed jars ensure that every bite tastes fresh since they preserve the freshness of the cupcakes. These cupcakes are also easy to transport and store, making them a perfect gift choice or indulgence. The reusable jars add an eco-friendly aspect to the product.
The company’s commitment to excellence and creativity has positioned it as a trailblazer in the baking industry, setting new standards and inspiring entrepreneurs with its wickedly good business strategies.
Wicked Good Cupcakes was founded in 2011 by Tracey Noonan and Danielle Desroches in Cohasset, Massachusetts.
Together, they created a unique cupcake collection that offers a delightful experience to customers. The decision to present cupcakes in jars added a touch of novelty and excitement, captivating their customers and disrupting the traditional cupcake presentation.
In 2016, Wicked Good Cupcakes achieved a significant milestone by selling one million cupcakes, showcasing their rapid growth and public support.
Their commitment to social responsibility is evident through initiatives supporting causes like Pride celebrations and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth, reflecting their dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
Wicked Good Cupcakes continues to redefine the cupcake experience with its fusion of innovation, passion, and quality, setting it apart as a unique and successful entity in the baking industry.
The Story of Wicked Good Cupcakes on Shark Tank
Tracey Noonan and Danielle Vilagie made a memorable appearance on the Shark Tank stage during Season 4, episode 22. They captivated the Sharks with their innovative product – gourmet cupcakes baked directly in jars.
They sought $75,000 in return for a 20% stake in their Massachusetts-based company, Wicked Good Cupcakes, valuing the venture at $375,000, securing a $75,000 investment.
Their pitch highlighted the uniqueness of their product, emphasizing the convenience of shipping, extended shelf life, and the delightful experience of enjoying cupcakes directly from the jar with a spoon.
They shared cupcake samples in jars with the Sharks, demonstrating a variety of flavors that were well received.
Tracey and Danielle also outlined their established online presence and loyal customer following.
The Sharks expressed interest but also raised valid concerns about the cost of the products, shipping costs, and scaling the business due to its labor-intensive nature.
Of all the Sharks, Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” showed a keen interest. Instead of a traditional equity stake, O’Leary proposed a unique royalty deal.
He offered the requested $75,000 investment with the condition that he would receive $1 from every cupcake sold until he recouped his investment. Subsequently, the royalty would reduce to $0.50 per cupcake sold indefinitely.
This departure from the norm intrigued Tracey and Danielle. They recognized the value of having a Shark like Kevin O’Leary on board and the growth opportunities he could bring to their business.
After careful consideration, they accepted O’Leary’s offer, marking the beginning of a successful partnership. Since their appearance on Shark Tank, Wicked Good Cupcakes has emerged as one of the show’s most successful ventures.
Final Deal: Kevin O’Leary agreed to invest $75,000 for a $1 royalty till $75,00 in revenue and $0.45 per box afterward.
Wicked Good Cupcakes: A Triumph from “Shark Tank” to Nationwide Prominence
Wicked Good Cupcakes, founded by Tracey Noonan and Danielle Desroches, experienced significant growth and success following their appearance on Shark Tank.
Despite initial concerns about shelf life, they struck a deal with Kevin O’Leary, who invested $75,000 in exchange for a royalty of 45 cents per jar sold, later negotiated to 45 cents perpetually.
Kevin O’Leary’s initial investment was quickly repaid when they sold $75,000 worth of cupcakes following the airing of their episode.
Their partnership with Kevin O’Leary continued successfully, with the company honoring the agreed-upon royalty deal.
Kevin O’Leary often cited Wicked Good Cupcakes as one of his most lucrative “Shark Tank” investments, underscoring the company’s post-show success.
Wicked Good Cupcakes expanded its product line to offer gluten-free options and more flavors.
The company diversified by adding jarred baked goods like pies and brownies to meet the growing demand. This expansion necessitated a move to a larger baking and shipping facility along with an increase in staff.
Wicked Good Cupcakes flourished, achieving noteworthy milestones such as selling over one million cupcakes and reaching over $10 million in sales.
The company also partnered with Cinnabon and aimed to franchise cupcake food trucks nationwide, expanding their offerings for various events and introducing wine and cupcake gift sets.
Wicked Good Cupcakes ventured into astrology-specific cupcake jars after building an Instagram following of nearly 33,000 followers and a Facebook following of 65,000.
While their cupcakes gained immense popularity, they faced a peculiar issue of not being allowed through airport security due to the jar packaging.
Wicked Good Cupcakes continued to grow after being acquired by Hickory Farms in 2021, focusing on product diversification and market expansion. Customers could still place orders through the Wicked Good Cupcakes and Hickory Farms websites.
Wicked Good Cupcakes, now under Hickory Farms ownership, remains operational and continues to offer their renowned gourmet cupcakes in jars, which are recognized nationally as a delightful gift option for special occasions.
They sell gift boxes, wine gifts, chocolates, and charcuterie through more than 500 pop-up shops and kiosks during the holiday season, as well as online, in select stores, and through their food truck.
Wicked Good Cupcakes is still in business with an estimated net worth of $15 million.
Under Hickory Farms, Wicked Good Cupcakes’ enduring success illustrates the brand’s commitment to creating unique treats with a strong backing, ensuring customers can still enjoy the brand’s goodness.
