Here’s What Occurred Following Shark Tank.

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a delicious homemade grilled cheese sandwich paired with a warm bowl of comforting soup — unless, of course, someone else is making it for you. When Trew and Jennifer Quackenbush, Jenny Rachford, and Corey Ward started offering the classic combination of grilled cheese and tomato soup in a pop-up tent at Cincinnati’s Fountain Square in 2009, their concept became so popular that they decided to transition it into a full-scale business.

The idea for the grilled cheese venture was born during a backyard cookout, where Trew Quackenbush (a chef) and Corey Ward (a graphic designer) conceptualized it. Alongside the classic tomato-and-cheese pairing that formed the company’s core, they also crafted a standout dish: the grilled cheese donut, substituting traditional bread with a sweet glazed donut. (Alternatively, customers can choose flaky croissants instead of grilled cheese bread if they prefer).

While managing the tent alongside their regular jobs, the quartet saved money to establish the first permanent location for Tom + Chee (the original name) in 2010, located on Court Street in Cincinnati. Six months later, they opened a second restaurant at Newport on the Levee. The venture gained its initial burst of television fame when Adam Richman visited for his Travel Channel show in 2011. Following extensive email exchanges with producers, Quackenbush and Ward appeared on “Shark Tank,” seeking investment to expand the brand.

Tom & Chee was featured in season 4, episode 26 of “Shark Tank,” which aired in May 2013. By that time, the company had already sold one franchise and had three restaurants employing 70 people. To facilitate further expansion, Trew Quackenbush and Corey Ward sought a $600,000 investment for a 10% equity stake.

Although the Sharks were initially skeptical about the grilled cheese donut concept, they were impressed with the business’s performance, noting it had grossed more than $1.5 million. Barbara Corcoran proposed $300,000 for a 15% stake but requested that another Shark join her to meet the full investment amount that Tom & Chee was seeking.

Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec each offered $100,000 for a 5% stake, but Mark Cuban eventually partnered with Corcoran, offering the remaining $300,000 for the same 15% stake. “Everything in my bones [is] saying this is a runaway hit,” Corcoran confidently proclaimed regarding the grilled cheese business (via YouTube). Quackenbush and Ward ultimately accepted the partnership with Corcoran and Cuban, satisfied with the agreement.

The company experienced a remarkable surge immediately after the episode aired. Following the Friday night broadcast, Tom & Chee received 2,400 inquiries for franchising by the following Monday morning. That number skyrocketed to over 9,000 requests in the following months.

However, the “Shark Tank” deal did not unfold as expected after the show. Mark Cuban withdrew, suggesting that the focus should be on corporate stores rather than franchises. Meanwhile, Barbara Corcoran remained as an investor but with a modified deal and less equity. The business flourished from there. In 2016, Forbes recognized it as one of the top 10 businesses to emerge from “Shark Tank.” By that time, Trew Quackenbush and Corey Ward had established four restaurants and 31 franchises.

An update episode of “Shark Tank” in season 8 showcased Quackenbush and Ward hosting their franchise conference, featuring Corcoran as the keynote speaker. Seven years after their initial pop-up venture, Tom & Chee boasted $47 million in sales and created over 500 jobs. The menu had expanded to include more than a dozen sandwich variations alongside various soups and specials, including a create-your-own sandwich option.

Tom & Chee remains in business, though the journey hasn’t been entirely easy. In 2014, the company acknowledged over-expansion, resulting in layoffs and the need to borrow funds. Store closures began in 2015, and in 2017, with just 23 locations remaining, the brand’s assets were acquired by GSR Brands, the parent company of Cincinnati’s Gold Star Chili.

In 2019, two years post-acquisition, GSR started to streamline operations by reducing the extensive menu and rebranding Tom + Chee to Tom & Chee. A new prototype launched in 2020 focused on smaller locations, using high-speed ovens to expedite sandwich preparation. However, the pandemic soon forced the company to pivot towards to-go orders.

By 2021, Tom & Chee was ready to expand again, opening new locations. The emphasis of the revamped menu shifted from traditional grilled cheese sandwiches to melts, a change that Roger David, president and CEO of Gold Star Brands, believed provided more value to customers due to their additional protein content.

Tom & Chee plans to continue its approach of smaller establishments with a streamlined menu. There are now fewer than 10 melts available, alongside a limited selection of soups and salads — although the renowned grilled cheese donut is still offered. In November 2023, the brand introduced a special melt called The Golden Cheese Touch, featuring mac n’ cheese and barbecue sauce on parmesan-crusted bread to support a cancer charity. Seasonal specials for summer 2024 included a strawberry peach salad with goat cheese and a gluten-free loaded baked potato soup. Moreover, the brand aims to diversify its offerings even further.

This new strategy appears to be yielding positive results. The Cincinnati Enquirer recognized Gold Star and Tom & Chee as a recipient of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Top Workplaces 2024 Award, with the combined operations employing 1,700 individuals. The brand was also a finalist in the grilled cheese category for the Greater Cincinnati 2024 Family Choice Awards, while the franchise model continues to inspire new entrepreneurs to open their own Tom & Chee locations, with franchise costs ranging from $339,700 to $704,000.

However, it seems the founders have moved on. Trew Quackenbush’s LinkedIn reveals he has been a culinary instructor at a high school since July 2018. Meanwhile, Corey Ward started a new venture called Planet-B Games in 2022, but it appears he has been searching for employment on Facebook as of May 2024.