Wedding Wagon: What Happened To The Brand After Shark Tank?
Season 6 of "Shark Tank" had its fair share of financial flops and successes. However, it is most notable for subjecting viewers to an awkward moment of intimacy between investors Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O'Leary. In Episode 2, Barbara and Kevin locked lips during a mock wedding vow renewal service during a business pitch cooked up by Wedding Wagon founders James Cass and Adrian Gonzalez. While the beginning of the pitch kicked off on a positive note by coaxing hoots and giggles from the Sharks, the same cannot be said for the rest of the founders' experience in the Sharks' den.
In 2014, Cass and Gonzalez headed to California in hopes of catching the attention of potential investors for their mobile wedding service. Sadly, the pair left the show empty-handed and dispirited after a resounding rejection from the Sharks based on a decision they made before their pitch on "Shark Tank." So, why didn't Wedding Wagon walk away with a deal, and how has it fared following its rollercoaster appearance in Season 6?
Wedding Wagon's five minutes of fame
During their memorable appearance on-screen, the founders of Wedding Wagon presented their pitch to the investors with a request for $125,000 in exchange for twenty percent equity in the company. Despite initial skepticism from the Sharks, James Cass and Adrian Gonzalez valued their company at $625,000 at the time of their pitch, thanks to an impressive $240,000 in sales for the previous year.
The mobile wedding service initially started at $99, but its prices have since increased to $129. According to the Las Vegas Wedding Wagon, it provides an officiant and a witness if required. The owners were managing between six to eight weddings per day, on average. Their idea to create a mobile wedding service began as a logical solution to bypass the issue of courthouse weddings getting rescheduled. It also provided a more affordable and accessible option for those who desired an outdoor, Vegas-themed wedding.
With their success up until that point, it seemed like a logical decision for the founders to want to expand their concept nationwide. However, the execution of their plan fell short due to a financial move that influenced the Sharks' final verdict.
The decision that cost Wedding Wagon a deal
Wedding Wagon experienced financial growth which led the founders to make a choice that left the Sharks frustrated and slightly disappointed. During their pitch, James Cass and Adrian Gonzalez admitted to selling Wedding Wagon to an unnamed buyer. Their desire to franchise the company is what ultimately cost them a deal with the Sharks.
Mark Cuban berated them for selling their company and rights, which prevented them from re-establishing within Las Vegas. At one point, the founders were making enough profit to hire an additional Wedding Wagon team, but they abandoned plans to expand within Las Vegas, citing employee management as a hindrance to their work. This was another red flag for the Sharks. "If they were making you money, you wouldn't have sold that off for half of your sales," Cuban lamented during the episode. "Now you've got nothing."
Barbara Corcoran also expressed regret over their decision, as she would have considered investing if they had not sold the original company. The rest of the Sharks agreed that the founders made a serious miscalculation by giving up the rights to Wedding Wagon.
The original Wedding Wagon business after Shark Tank
The Wedding Wagon certainly had potential – and it still does. The company continues to operate and, as of 2023, boasts a net worth of approximately $12 million. As of mid-2022, Wedding Wagon also reported an annual revenue of $2 million, so the business remains profitable. According to the Las Vegas Wedding Wagon website, it still offers a base service, along with new package options that vary in location and range from $129 to $975.
It comes as no surprise that the business has managed to produce a profit despite facing rejection on "Shark Tank." It makes sense that the business would endure, seeing as Vegas is the wedding capital of the world. The convenience and affordability also appeal to different types of couples, as Wedding Wagon services are not limited to those wanting to elope. Thanks to the variety of packages and settings, Wedding Wagon also caters to larger wedding parties and couples seeking unique, adventure-themed weddings.
What's next for Wedding Wagon and its founders?
After appearing on "Shark Tank" in 2014, the founders went on to offer training services to those aiming to create their own mobile wedding business. As of 2023, the website for the franchised Wedding Wagon business no longer exists and the domain is selling for over $2,000. It is unclear whether the franchise company continues to provide training services. Shortly after their TV debut, co-founder Adrian Gonzalez departed Las Vegas to run his food truck, TacoKnox, in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to his LinkedIn profile. However, the food truck may have undergone a re-branding to No Joke Nachos, as indicated by the business' Instagram account. The activity of the other founder, James Cass, is currently unknown, though it is possible he still has ties to the original Wedding Wagon in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Wedding Wagon business lacks a consistent online presence and its outdated website is in dire need of a revamp, but, all things considered, Wedding Wagon is steadily chugging on and doesn't appear to be halting operations any time soon. That said, one cannot help but wonder where Gonzalez and Cass would be today if not for that one unfortunate blunder.