Pup Stack Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 18
Brian and Kayla Zibricky pitched a portable dog anchor with a retractable leash, adjustable weighted base and built-in storage.
The father-daughter duo, Brian and Kayla Zibricky, appeared on Shark Tank Season 18 Episode 3 with a portable anchor that lets owners tie out their dogs safely on road trips, at campsites and in public spaces.
The founders came up with the product after facing difficulties in safely bringing their dogs with them during social activities like camping, unfenced backyards and public sports arenas, among other places.
Could they bring Sharks on board to share this product with pet owners globally?
About Pup Stack
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Pup Stack |
| Founders | Brian Zibricky and Kayla Zibricky |
| Product | Portable dog anchor with a retractable leash, weighted base and built-in storage |
| Industry | Pet Accessories |
| Sales (Pre-Shark Tank) | ~$260,000 on the episode recording date |
| Investment Asked | $150,000 for 10% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Kendra Scott and Steven Bartlett |
| Deal Outcome | $200,000 for 20% equity |
| Initial Valuation | $1,500,000 |
| Post-Deal Valuation | $1,000,000 |
Founders’ Backstory
Brian and Kayla Zibricky are the founders of Pup Stack. Brian is a marketing professional from Illinois, United States. After witnessing practical challenges of keeping the family pet safe and comfortable during everyday activities, he came up with the initial sketches and prototypes for the Pup Stack.
Kayla is an Illinois State University graduate who began her career at Motorola Solutions as a sales representative in Chicago. She represents Pup Stack along with her father and brings her expertise in sales and marketing as well.
Product Overview
Pup Stack is an adjustable and portable product built to keep the pet dog safe outdoors while providing convenient storage space for belongings like treats, toys and bowls. The product also contains a 20-foot retractable tie-out line that locks at different lengths.
Pup Stack supports dogs weighing up to 40 pounds and can be used in parks, patios, camping trips and other settings.
The company has expanded its product line to include plush toys, dog sticks and also sells individual plates that can be stacked onto the Pup Stack base as the dog grows in size.
Pup Stack Shark Tank Pitch
Brian and Kayla Zibricky came to Shark Tank seeking $150,000 for 10% equity. They began by sharing the challenge of bringing their pets on outdoor trips that involved a checklist of various items.
To make the experience more convenient and structured, they came up with Pup Stack. Sharks saw the real-life utility of the product and found it quite sturdy, with Lori Greiner finding it difficult to lift the base model.
Kendra Scott began by saying she has 10 dogs and requires a bunch of Pup Stacks, then asked: “Will it be of any use to her 100-pound dog?” The founders explained that the product is specifically designed for dogs with a maximum weight of 40 pounds.
The guest Shark, Steven Bartlett, was a bit concerned, considering both the founders were invested part-time in scaling the business.
Brian explained that his wife, Sue, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and now uses a wheelchair. In order to support her medical expenses, Brian got a remote job with much-needed insurance to provide better care.
Kayla cited student loans as the reason why she wants to continue with the job until they can switch to the business full-time.
But despite holding onto their day jobs, Kayla revealed that the company’s 2026 year-to-date revenue at the time of the show recording is a little more than $260,000, and they expect annual sales of $700,000.
Steven remarked that he knows people who are invested full-time in pet-related companies and are not able to achieve these numbers.
What Makes Pup Stack Unique?
Pup Stack aims to remove a key strain in the lives of pet lovers to ensure they can enjoy outdoor moments with them.
- Sturdy: The product is sturdy enough to support dogs weighing up to 40 pounds and provides adequate space to store belongings like treats, toys and bowls.
- Adjustable: As the puppy grows in size, extra plates can be added to remove the need for buying a separate product.
Did Pup Stack Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Pup Stack enjoys gross profit margins of 56%, but relies completely on Meta advertising for customer acquisition.
That emerged as a major pain point for the Sharks, as Steven Bartlett stressed the need to diversify their marketing strategy.
He also flagged the high shipping costs associated with the product’s weight. The founder said the average shipping cost is $21.
Kendra Scott, a dog lover herself, was impressed by the product and could envision a huge pet-focused brand through her experience and guidance.
She offered the entrepreneurs $150,000 for 25% equity and reaffirmed confidence in getting this product into big retail chains like Walmart, Target and PetSmart.
Steven Bartlett chimed in to share his value in scaling the business globally but said the founders require a bit more cash.
He decided to offer his expertise in building this into a powerhouse brand through his platform by making an offer of $200,000 for 20% equity.
Kendra said the founders could benefit from both the Sharks. But Lori instantly floated the idea of partnering with Steven, which led to a friendly spat between Kendra and Lori.
Daniel Lubetzky facetiously said that Steven’s “British accent has both of these American women fighting over him.”
Kendra and Steven gave a combined offer of $200,000 for 20% equity.
Kevin O’Leary offered $150,000 for 10%, exactly what the founders asked. However, the combined value of Kendra and Steven appealed to the entrepreneurs, and they countered with $200,000 for 15% equity.
Steven denied the counter, explaining the value they would provide should be reflected in the equity. Finally, the founders accepted the deal of $200,000 for a 20% stake in the company.
Pup Stack Shark Tank Update
After airing on Shark Tank Season 18, Pup Stack’s deal with Steven and Kendra was confirmed. The company gained significant public attention after appearing on Shark Tank. But there’s no publicly shared data on post-show bump in sales or any other key metric.
Where Can You Buy It?
You can buy Pup Stack products directly from their official website. It is also available for purchase on Amazon.
For updates and the company’s expansion plans, follow them on TikTok and Instagram.
Quick Summary
- Pup Stack entered Shark Tank with a cylindrical portable product with a leash that can be attached to a pet dog weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Founders Brian and Kayla Zibricky came in seeking $150,000 for 10% of the company.
- The company secured a deal with Kendra Scott and Steven Bartlett for $200,000 in exchange for 20% equity.
