Incredible Eats’ sustainability has become an increasingly pressing topic in our society. The Company found an inventive solution to a pressing problem. The Company is known for its wide assortment of edible cutlery and utensils, such as spoons, forks, and straws.
Their texture is similar to a cookie’s but sturdy enough to help you eat various foods. The vegan utensils come in sweet and savory flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, oregano, and black pepper. Today, Incredible Eats is estimated to be worth $3 million, highlighting the immense potential of its eco-friendly and innovative products.
Who is Incredible Eats?
Incredible Eats is the brainchild of engineer and entrepreneur Dinesh Tadepalli. The South Indian native moved to the United States to receive his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, which granted him a successful career for several years.
While getting ice cream with his children one day, Tadepalli was mortified when he saw a trash can filled to the brim with plastic utensils. There, he began thinking about how his small actions had long-term consequences — eating his ice cream only took about 10 minutes, but the plastic left behind would be sitting in a landfill for tens or even hundreds of years.
Tadepalli searched for alternatives to plastic utensils and found companies selling edible spoons. Realizing that no one had yet tried to scale this market, Tadepalli and business partner Kruvil Patel set out to make their mark, starting the business in 2019.
Tadepalli went all in, entering trade shows and selling his home to set up better production facilities. He soon had the chance to grow his newfound passion when he was allowed to appear on “Shark Tank” Season 13.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Incredible Eats |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Dinesh Tadepalli |
| Estimated Net Worth | $3 million |
| Annual Revenue | $500,000 |
| Main Products | Edible cutlery (spoons, forks, straws) |
| Flavors | Sweet (chocolate, vanilla) and savory (oregano, black pepper) |
| Pricing | $0.20 per spoon; $0.10 to make |
Who Is The Founder Of Incredible Eats?
Dinesh Tadepalli is the founder of Incredible Eats. The aspiring businessman grew up in a business-minded family in South India. After graduating with an electronics engineering and communications degree from Anna University, he pursued a master’s degree in electrical engineering at USC.
Following his studies, Tadepalli interned at VeriEZ Solutions, Inc., and later became a Design Engineer 2 at Sandisk. In 2018, he became an angel investor at Kulfi, an Indian micro-content platform, before founding Incredible Eats the following year.
Tadepalli’s inspiration for Incredible Eats came when he noticed the excessive use of plastic utensils while taking his children out for ice cream. This sparked his mission to create a more sustainable alternative to enjoy as a snack.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Dinesh Tadepalli |
| Birthplace | South India |
| Education | Master’s in Electrical Engineering, USC |
| Previous Roles | Design Engineer 2 at Sandisk, Angel Investor at Kulfi |
| Inspiration for Company | Noticed excessive plastic waste while getting ice cream with children |
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Incredible Eats?
On October 22, 2021, Incredible Eats’ “Shark Tank” segment aired. Founder Dinesh Tadepalli appeared on the ABC reality show seeking a $500,000 investment for 7% of his business. The sharks tried the Company’s samples and enjoyed the rich flavors. Tadepalli shared that they didn’t have as many options available when starting because food services didn’t want to distract from the taste of their products.
The spoons sell for $0.20 and cost $0.10 to make; this is higher than the cost of a plastic utensil, which is $0.01 to $0.02. Over Incredible Eats’ two years in business, the Company had brought in $170,000. While the brand experienced healthy growth in its first year providing its products to food services, the COVID-19 pandemic saw Tadepalli pivot to a direct-to-consumer business model through the Company’s website.
Even with these hurdles, Tadepalli couldn’t contain his excitement about being on the show and making an impact with Incredible Eats. He explained that he still works as an engineer but is dedicated to working on this passion every night and has succeeded in selling over 1 million spoons.
Barbara Corcoran adored the entrepreneur and his enthusiasm but thought he was blinded by it and went out. However, even if they didn’t agree with the $7 million valuation, the other four sharks made their offers. All were willing to give $500,000, but Kevin O’Leary wanted 35%, Lori Greiner wanted 15%, Mark Cuban wanted 20%, and Daniel Lubetzky wanted 25%. Tadepalli saw if any shark would go for 12%, and Mark Cuban went out. Ultimately, he went with Greiner, who came closest to the equity portion he sought.
Incredible Eats Shark Tank Update:
Dinesh Tadepalli’s deal with investor Lori Greiner never closed, with the entrepreneur stating that the deal terms were altered after the show. This, too, is not uncommon on “Shark Tank,” especially when it comes to deals with Greiner. As a result, Tadepalli never received the $500,000 Greiner proposed, which halted his plans to scale. His segment birthed $50,000 in sales over the next two days, but they all had to be placed as pre-orders due to inventory issues.
What Happened To Incredible Eats After Shark Tank?
Thankfully, even without Greiner, Incredible Eats’ “Shark Tank” appearance helped birth some new partnerships. In January 2022, the Company announced its collaboration with the ice cream company Dippin’ Dots, which would be sampling their vanilla and chocolate-flavored spoons before distributing them nationwide.
“Providing an edible spoon with our ice cream is a win-win for everyone,” said Dippin’ Dots National Accounts Director Bryan Carney in a press statement. “It elevates our ice cream, saves our planet from waste, and aligns with the message many of our partners are trying to convey. We are so excited to kick off this partnership, and we can’t wait for our customers to try these delicious spoons.”
Incredible Eats nearly had another partnership with an undisclosed major fast-food chain that disposes 70 million plastic utensils annually. However, the chain’s financial team deemed their products too expensive and instead offered to sell the cutlery individually as a snack item, which Tadepalli refused. 2021 the Company received a $200,000 investment from Big Idea Ventures.
Incredible Eats Net Worth:
As of 2024, Incredible Eats is estimated to have a net worth of $3 million. The Company’s revenue has grown significantly, reaching an estimated $500,000 annual sales. This growth can be attributed to their successful partnerships, continued product innovations, and strong social media presence.
| Sales Channels | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Store | Edible utensils priced from $0.99 to $9.99 |
| Bulk Sales | Available in bulk on Amazon and directly through the website |
| Retail Presence | Sold in TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, and gourmet sections |
Incredible Eats Growth and Operations:
Incredible Eats sells most of its items online. Customers can find an array of edible spoons, sporks, and straws ranging in price from $0.99 to $9.99, depending on the quantity. The site also has a section for food services that offers as many as 1,000 utensils for $100. Incredible Eats is also featured on Amazon, where its products are primarily sold in bulk.
In a 2022 interview, founder Dinesh Tadepalli stated that they also sold in the gourmet food sections of between 300 and 400 TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods locations. However, they consistently sold out at these locations, and with inventory being an ever-present issue, they have had trouble restocking.
Nevertheless, Incredible Eats’ partnership with Dippin’ Dots has been paying off. The brand can be found alongside Dippin’ Dots products at the Cowabunga Vegas Waterpark in Nevada, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Tennessee, and even the international airline Icelandair.
Incredible Eats Marketing and Sales:
Incredible Eats has been featured at notable events such as the 2022 Winter Fancy Food Show and outlets such as Food and Wine. The Company has an estimated annual revenue of $500,000 with a net worth of about $3 million.
The Company’s website has a section for investment opportunities, where they also shared their plans for 2024. Incredible Eats plans to add new items such as chopsticks, boba straws, and coffee stirrers to its varied product line. The team also has hopes to expand its operations internationally after receiving offers from hundreds of businesses from over 30 countries.
Incredible Eats Social Media Presence:
Incredible Eats has a solid social media presence, which has helped them grow their fan base and generate more sales. They have over 2 million followers on Instagram, where they post stunning photos and videos of their products and behind-the-scenes stories. They also have over 1 million followers on Facebook, where they share customer reviews, promotions, and contests. They have over 500,000 subscribers on YouTube, where they upload entertaining and informative videos about their products and company culture.
Incredible Eats Interesting Facts:
- Incredible Eats was founded in 2019 by Dinesh Tadepalli and Kruvil Patel.
- Tadepalli got the idea for edible utensils after seeing excessive plastic waste while getting ice cream with his children.
- The Company’s edible spoons, forks, and straws are made from natural ingredients like rice, corn, chickpeas, and wheat.
- Incredible Eats appeared on Shark Tank in 2021, securing a deal with Lori Greiner that ultimately fell through.
- Despite the Shark Tank setback, the Company has continued to grow, partnering with Dippin’ Dots, exploring new product lines, and expanding internationally.
What’s Next For Incredible Eats?
While Incredible Eats’ “Shark Tank” deal never materialized, the Company has continued to grow and evolve. Incredible Eats is poised for further success with an estimated net worth of $3 million and annual revenue of $500,000.
The Company plans to expand its product line in 2024, adding new items like chopsticks, boba straws, and coffee stirrers to its edible utensil offerings. Incredible Eats is also looking to grow its international presence, having received offers from hundreds of businesses in over 30 countries.
Founder Dinesh Tadepalli’s passion for sustainability remains at the core of the business. He stated that he did not plan to make any money from the Company until they reduced the utilization of single-use plastics by 100 million. This unwavering commitment to their mission is a testament to the integrity and vision that drives Incredible Eats.
Final Words:
Incredible Eats has carved out a unique niche in the sustainable consumer goods market. By offering a delicious and practical alternative to plastic utensils, the Company has captured the attention of eco-conscious consumers and significant industry players. With a growing net worth, an innovative product pipeline, and a steadfast commitment to its mission, Incredible Eats is poised to continue making a meaningful impact on the environment while delighting customers with its tasty and versatile edible offerings.
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