Project Pollo Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 13
Lucas Bradbury built one of Shark Tank’s fastest-growing vegan restaurant chains, but did the Sharks believe it could last?
Lucas Bradbury hoped the Sharks would invest in Project Pollo, his rapidly growing and successful chain of vegan chicken restaurants, in Shark Tank Season 13 Episode 24.
Bradbury got into vegan food while he was trying to convince his parents to eat healthier. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to test the concept of a vegan “chicken” restaurant. A friend who owned a bar asked if he would be interested in opening a food truck there so the bar could reopen.
During the COVID-19 restrictions in Texas, businesses needed to serve food to reopen during the early stages of reducing lockdown restrictions. The concept became a hit, and when things started to return to normal, he opened his first brick-and-mortar store in a space vacated by another restaurant.
Bradbury focused not only on food but also on sustainability. Vegan food products were far more sustainable than the meat industry, which produced a lot of environmental waste. Would the Sharks like his idea?
About Project Pollo
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Project Pollo |
| Founder | Lucas Bradbury |
| Industry | Plant-Based Food |
| Product | Vegan chicken and plant-based foods |
| Funding | Raised $1.5 million prior to appearing on Shark Tank at a $17.5 million valuation |
| Investment Asked | $2.5 million for 5% equity |
| Deal Status | No Deal |
| Valuation | $50,000,000 |
Bradbury had started in restaurants as a delivery driver at Pizza Hut, where he rose to manager. He later helped grow another vegan business.
He was on a mission to make vegan food more accessible to the masses. He believed plant-based protein was the future, and he wanted to be a leader in the space. With the success he had already achieved, he believed he could achieve that goal. A Shark could have helped him get there faster.
Project Pollo served vegan burgers and meat-free chicken alternatives as its staples. It also sold mac and cheese, nachos, cookies, and vegan milkshakes that customers raved about.
Bradbury liked locating restaurants in “repurposed” spaces that other fast-casual chains overlooked, and all the packaging was compostable. Even the water came in a box.
His employees were important to him, too. He paid twice the minimum wage and provided health benefits and paid vacation to all employees. As for customers, he said 20% were vegan, and the rest were “plant-curious.”
The concept became a big hit. He grew from a test food truck to twelve locations, all in Texas, in just two years. There were plans to open four more locations in 2022, and his goal was to reach 100 locations by the end of 2024.
Project Pollo Shark Tank Pitch
Lucas entered the Shark Tank, saying, “We demand change.” He said he had created Project Pollo to make plant-based foods more accessible. He sought $2.5 million for 5% of his company, valuing Project Pollo at $50 million. The Sharks were surprised by the valuation.
The Sharks tasted their samples, and they liked them. Mr. Wonderful said it was the best fake chicken he had ever eaten. Lucas explained that the name was deliberate to get people into the stores.
He described how he had opened 12 restaurants and had generated approximately $10 million in lifetime sales at the time of filming. He explained that he wanted to grow as fast as possible. All in, he had invested $60,000 along with credit cards. His first restaurant in Austin had grown from $10,000 a week to $23,000 a week.
At the time of filming, the company planned to open one location per month. So far, it has raised $1.5 million at a $17.5 million valuation. He had also secured great lease rates due to COVID.
What Made Project Pollo Unique?
Project Pollo stood out through its combination of sustainability and rapid growth:
- Offered vegan chicken and plant-based foods designed to make plant-based eating more accessible.
- Used compostable packaging, boxed water, and repurposed restaurant spaces.
- Paid employees twice the minimum wage with health benefits and paid vacation.
- Attracted both vegans and “plant-curious” customers while expanding rapidly across Texas.
Did Project Pollo Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Mr. Wonderful was impressed with Lucas, but not the valuation, so he was out.
Mark Cuban did not think the food was healthy and did not like the valuation, so he was out.
Kevin Hart thought Lucas was moving too fast, so he was out.
Barbara Corcoran compared the company to Tom and Chee, which had gone bankrupt because it grew too quickly, so she was out.
Lori Greiner said she did not know what would happen with the rapid growth, so she was out as well.
Project Pollo left Shark Tank without a deal. Since no Shark invested, there was no deal to close.
Project Pollo Shark Tank Update
Following the episode’s airing, Lucas put a national expansion plan into motion. As of August 2022, the company had added five new stores since the original air date, bringing the total to 17 locations. It had also added two food trucks.
Following its appearance on Shark Tank, the company also experienced the “Shark Tank effect,” receiving more than 300 daily franchising inquiries. During this time, Bradbury strengthened the leadership team by adding several vice president positions and bringing in former McDonald’s and Chipotle executives.
The company had planned to do a roadshow at universities in the Northeast in the fall of 2022. In 2023, it planned to offer franchises in the Northeast, where it did not plan to open company-owned stores.
It also planned to offer more franchises in 2023 and expand beyond its Texas, Las Vegas, and Colorado footprint to Nashville, Atlanta, Tampa, and Miami.
Side Chicks and New Growth Strategy
In February 2023, Bradbury launched Side Chicks, a rebranded Project Pollo location that served both plant-based and real chicken items. Bradbury also explored virtual kitchens through delivery partners and was planning partnerships with national brands while considering frozen retail products for grocery stores.
Acquisition and Business Closure
In April 2023, Project Pollo was acquired by a national franchise group. Most of its locations were included in the acquisition, although one Austin location initially remained open.
As of September 2024, it appeared that all Project Pollo locations had closed. Unfortunately, the business had ceased operations.
The company’s website was taken offline, its social media accounts became inactive, and founder Lucas Bradbury listed his tenure as Project Pollo’s Founder and CEO as ending in September 2023.
After Project Pollo closed, Bradbury became the Co-Founder and President of Houston Street Hospitality and founded Sprouted Venture, an investment group focused on environmentally sustainable startups. In February 2025, he also launched Evo, a fast-casual restaurant serving fresh menu items alongside plant-based options.
Following the closure of all locations, Project Pollo no longer operates as an active business, making its previous $50 million Shark Tank valuation no longer applicable.
Where Can You Buy It?
Project Pollo originally had multiple brick-and-mortar vegan fast-food locations across Texas and briefly expanded into Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada.
However, by late 2023 to early 2024, all Project Pollo and Side Chicks outlets had closed after being acquired by a national franchise group. Since the company shut down, customers can no longer visit Project Pollo restaurants or order food through its website or delivery apps.
Posts about Project Pollo on Shark Tank Blog
Learn more about Project Pollo’s journey and its restaurant expansion.
Quick Summary
- Lucas Bradbury pitched Project Pollo, a chain of vegan chicken restaurants focused on making plant-based foods more accessible.
- Despite reaching 12 locations in two years, generating $10 million in lifetime sales at the time of filming, and raising $1.5 million, the Sharks declined to invest because of the company’s high valuation and rapid expansion.
- Project Pollo later expanded to 17 locations before ultimately closing all of its restaurants and going out of business.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 13 Episodes.
Curious about other businesses that appeared on Shark Tank Season 13 Episode 24? Check out the business updates!
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