Chicken Salt Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 12
Khasha Touloei and Maynard Okereke wanted the Sharks to do a seasoned deal for Chicken Salt, their vegan seasoning, in Shark Tank Episode 12, Season 05.
Khasha, who grew up in Australia, remembered a popular seasoning known as chicken salt that his mother used to make food more appealing. Years later, while training to become a physician, he wanted to help patients follow lower-sodium, heart-healthy diets without sacrificing flavor.
Together with longtime friend Maynard Okereke, an engineer and STEM educator, he developed a healthier American version of the classic Australian seasoning. Their product was vegan, MSG-free, non-GMO, and designed to add savory flavor to almost any dish.
They were successful. Chicken Salt was the number 1 selling seasoning on Amazon. As they said, it was good on anything, and you didn’t need to be vegan to use it. They likely wanted a shark’s help getting someone to manage the business. Would a shark spice up a deal for these products?
About Chicken Salt
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Chicken Salt (later rebranded as JADA Brands) |
| Founders | Khasha Touloei and Maynard Okereke |
| Industry | Food & Beverage |
| Product | Vegan, MSG-free, Non-GMO seasoning blends and plant-based mixes |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded |
| Investment Asked | $250,000 for 20% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Barbara Corcoran |
| Deal Outcome | $250,000 for 33.3% equity |
| Valuation | $1.25 million |
Before appearing on Shark Tank, Khasha and Maynard had known each other since attending the University of Washington in 2002.
Khasha was pursuing a medical career and searching for ways to help patients enjoy healthier meals. Remembering Australia’s famous chicken salt seasoning, he began creating a plant-based alternative with lower sodium and cleaner ingredients.
The first versions of the product were developed in their apartment and later introduced at a vegan festival in Chicago. After officially launching in 2016, the company began selling products through Amazon and food events across the United States.
Under the parent company JADA Spices, the brand offered several flavors, including Original, Lime, Barbecue, Turmeric, Reduced Sodium, and Red Pepper. Every blend was vegan, MSG-free, and non-GMO.
Chicken Salt Shark Tank Pitch
Khasha and Maynard entered the Tank seeking $250,000 in exchange for 20% of their company.
Their presentation featured a humorous caveman character breaking apart a giant salt rock while they explained that people were still cooking with the same basic salts used for centuries.
The entrepreneurs introduced their Vegan Chicken Salt and Turmeric Salt as healthier alternatives to traditional seasonings. The Sharks sampled the products and were impressed by the flavor.
One of the biggest highlights of the pitch was their newest product, Plant-Based Chick’N Mix, which allowed consumers to create vegan chicken-style patties and nuggets at home.
Barbara Corcoran immediately praised the product’s taste, commenting that it tasted remarkably similar to real chicken.
The founders revealed that Chicken Salt was the number-one selling seasoned salt on Amazon. The business generated $319,000 in sales during 2019 and projected approximately $500,000 in revenue for 2020.
They explained that both founders continued working full-time careers while growing the business. Khasha worked as a dermatologist, while Maynard balanced engineering, STEM education, and media projects alongside the company.
What Made Chicken Salt Unique?
Chicken Salt differentiated itself from traditional seasonings through several key advantages:
- Inspired by Australia’s popular chicken salt seasoning.
- Completely vegan, MSG-free, and Non-GMO.
- Lower-sodium alternative designed with health-conscious consumers in mind.
- Available in multiple flavors for a variety of foods.
- Expanded beyond spices into plant-based meat alternatives.
The company positioned itself as a healthier way to add savory flavor to meals without relying on artificial ingredients or excessive sodium.
Did Chicken Salt Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Kevin O’Leary liked the product but believed the founders lacked focus because they were balancing multiple careers and business ventures. For that reason, he declined to invest.
Daymond John shared similar concerns, saying the founders were attempting to develop too many products while working outside the business full-time. He also opted out.
Lori Greiner felt the company was still too early, particularly because some products remained in the research and development stage.
Mark Cuban also decided not to make an offer.
Barbara Corcoran, however, was impressed by the founders’ energy, determination, and product quality. She offered $250,000 for 33.3% equity, explaining that she believed they had the drive necessary to build a successful food company.
After a brief discussion, Khasha and Maynard accepted Barbara’s offer.
Chicken Salt Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provided updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who had appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. With the first rerun of this episode less than two months after the original air date, it was hard to know whether the deal closed or not. The company didn’t appear in the list of Shark Tank investments on her website, but it was still too soon to tell.
As of July, 2021, it appeared the deal with Barbara did not close. The company changed its name to Jada Brands as it added several new items to its menu. In addition to the vegan chicken, they added Mediterranean chicken and a faux pork product.
They also added turmeric-based spice blends. You could find their products in Whole Foods, Sprouts, H-E-B, Central Market, and Amazon. As of July 2024, annual revenue was $4 million.
In May 2025, the company teased future product developments on social media, suggesting additional innovations could be on the way.
Where Can You Buy It?
The company continued selling its popular seasoning blends, Vegan Chicken Salt, Vegan Bacon Salt, and plant-based meal mixes through Amazon and its official website.
While the company had not introduced many new products in recent years, its core seasoning lineup remains active and continues serving health-conscious consumers looking for flavorful plant-based alternatives, as seen through their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Posts about Chicken Salt on Shark Tank Blog
Want to learn more about the journey behind this successful Shark Tank food brand? Check out our detailed JADA Brands Chicken Salt update to explore the company’s growth, product expansion, and post-show success story.
Quick Summary
- Khasha Touloei and Maynard Okereke pitched Chicken Salt, a vegan seasoning, seeking $250,000 for 20% equity.
- Secured a deal with Barbara Corcoran for $250,000 in exchange for 33.3% equity, but the deal didn’t close.
- The company rebranded as Jada Brands, expanded its product line, and achieved $4 million in annual revenue by 2024.
Read other Shark Tank Season 12 Episodes.
Curious about the other businesses featured in Shark Tank Season 12 Episode 05? Explore more updates and see which ideas made a splash in the Tank.
