Scrub Daddy Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 4
Aaron Krause introduced a simple smiling Scrub Daddy sponge on Shark Tank Season 4. After landing a deal on Shark Tank, Scrub Daddy became one of the show’s biggest success stories.
Aaron Krause appeared on Shark Tank Season 4, Episode 7, and pitched his product, Scrub Daddy. Whether it’s dishes or patio furniture, it tackles all sorts of household cleaning tasks.
While running a successful automotive aftermarket business, Aaron originally developed the Scrub Daddy sponge to clean auto mechanics’ hands. But one day, after trying it at home, he discovered it was equally effective in cleaning the kitchen. Recognizing its broader potential, he rebranded it as a household cleaning product—and even made it onto QVC.
With a winning demonstration and a catchy smile, Krause aimed to scrub the Sharks into investing. See if he got the deal on Shark Tank!
Check out other Shark Tank Season 4 Episodes
About Scrub Daddy
| Category | Details |
| Founder | Aaron Krause |
| Product Type | Smiling sponge scrub |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self Funded |
| Deal Status | Deal Secured with Shark Lori Greiner |
| Investment Asked | $100,000 for 10% equity |
| Deal Outcome | $200,000 for 20% equity |
The Scrub Daddy is an innovative smiling sponge made from a high-tech polymer that becomes firm in cold water for tough scrubbing and soft in warm water for gentler cleaning.
Founder Aaron Krause demonstrated how the scrub works on grease and how little effort it requires, from rubbing it on utensils to showing how easy it is to clean by simply dipping it in water.
Aaron demonstrated how the sponge’s unique material responds to water temperature, firming up in cold water for tough cleaning tasks and softening in warm water for gentler cleaning. After a very “infomercial-like” pitch, Aaron faced the Sharks in what soon became a feeding frenzy!
Scrub Daddy Shark Tank Pitch
During the pitch, Lori Greiner asked Aaron where Scrub Daddy had been sold so far. To her surprise, he revealed it was only in five local supermarkets in Philadelphia, but it had also done three separate successful airings on QVC. Aaron added that he owned the Scrub Daddy domain name, secured a trademark, held one patent, and had two more pending.
What Makes Scrub Daddy Unique?
Scrub Daddy is one of the most successful Shark Tank businesses of all time. The moment water hits the Scrub Daddy sponge, it transforms: firm in cold water for tough scrubbing, soft in warm water for delicate cleaning. The FlexTexture foam material used in the product makes it long-lasting.
The design stands out with the yellow-colored smiling face, which isn’t just cute but also functional. The eyes provide grip for fingers, and the mouth cleans utensils easily. Other features of Scrub Daddy include:
- Safe to use on various surfaces, making it useful for versatile cleaning.
- Tackles greasy pans (non-stick pans), stubborn stains, and more with ease.
- Odor-free even after several uses, and remains fresh.
Did Scrub Daddy Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
While Lori was intrigued, Robert and Daymond weren’t so sure the product could make it in a retail environment. Robert was the first to drop out, followed by Mark Cuban, saying he didn’t see the fit.
Kevin saw an opportunity. He offered $100,000 for 50% equity. Aaron laughed and playfully replied, “You’re out,” rejecting the offer on the spot.
Daymond stepped up next. He offered $50,000 for 15% equity, but only if Lori would partner with him and put up the other $50,000 for another 15% equity. But Lori had other plans. She told Aaron she instantly knew if a product was “a hero or a zero,” and Scrub Daddy was a hero.
With that, Lori told Daymond she didn’t need him. She went solo, offering $100,000 for 30% equity.
Kevin came back in again with a royalty deal. He offered $100,000 with no equity but wanted a $0.50 royalty per unit sold until he recouped his investment, then a $0.10 royalty per unit in perpetuity.
The pitch turned into a bidding war. Daymond came back with $150,000 for 25% equity. Lori held steady with her $100,000 offer but lowered her equity ask. When things got intense, Robert stepped in to summarize the offers to help Aaron keep track.
Lori clarified that she actually meant to offer $150,000, matching Daymond. Daymond quickly one-upped her again, offering $175,000 for 25%. Lori fired back with $200,000, all without Aaron saying a word.
Daymond then backed out with a grin, joking that he just made Aaron an extra $100,000 simply to outbid Lori. Kevin tried once more to push his royalty deal, but the back-and-forth started to frustrate Lori.
She turned to Aaron and told him that if he didn’t accept her offer right then, she’d walk away. Aaron countered, asking if she would do the deal at 20%. Lori agreed. Finally, the deal was secured for $200,000 for 20% equity.
What Happened to Scrub Daddy After Shark Tank?
After the Shark Tank appearance, Scrub Daddy saw a major increase in their website traffic, sales, and social media. The deal valued his company at $1 million.
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(@moneybusinessmoves)Since airing, Scrub Daddy has been featured on QVC multiple times, selling out each time. With thousands of retail outlets, Aaron got what he was looking for from the Shark Tank: help with retail distribution. He said Lori and he have become friends, and Aaron and his wife socialize with Lori and her husband.
Aaron sent some sample reviews to the Shark Tank, and one of them said, “It works as advertised! The first one I opened lasted from October through February before it needed replacing. It tackles just about any cleaning task in my kitchen. I gave one to my mother and she loved it too!”
Beyond the Tank
After securing the deal with Shark Lori Greiner on Shark Tank in 2012, Aaron Krause’s Scrub Daddy had become one of the most successful Shark Tank products ever. By that time, sales were approaching $20 million.
In January 2016, the Beyond the Tank episode 1 aired on Shark Tank Season 2. By that time, Scrub Daddy had already racked up more than $75 million in sales. Aaron and Lori were still working closely, and their partnership blossomed into a genuine friendship.
A year later, Scrub Daddy returned for another update in Shark Tank Season 9, Episode 7. Sales had more than doubled, hitting $150 million, making it the single biggest success in Shark Tank history at the time.
In February 2020, the company was featured in Shark Tank: Greatest of All Time Special, in the “greatest money makers” segment. With lifetime sales at $268 million, the company ranked as the second-highest grossing Shark Tank product, just behind Bombas, which has $330 million in sales.
But the growth didn’t slow down.
By June 2021, Scrub Daddy had become a household name and was available in thousands of stores, regularly releasing seasonal variations. In August 2022, the company introduced Halloween-themed sponges in the shape of pumpkins, ghosts, and Frankenstein. At that point, lifetime sales exceeded $300 million, with no signs of slowing down.
More Updates
Then came a massive update in Shark Tank Season 14, Episode 13, marking 10 years since Aaron’s original pitch. In the update segment, Aaron reveals that Scrub Daddy had:
- Grown to 273 employees
- Launched over 160 different products
- Expanded into 257,000+ retail locations globally
- Reached $670 million in retail sales
By that time, it was one of the top 5 highest-grossing companies in Shark Tank history.
Before Shark Tank, Scrub Daddy sponges were made in Germany and had moved to solar-powered factories in New Jersey and Tennessee (USA). The factories are powered entirely by solar energy, and the company has so much excess power that they power homes in the surrounding neighborhood. Aaron also signed a distribution deal with Unilever, expanding the company’s global reach.
In October 2023, Scrub Daddy became the third highest-selling Shark Tank product of all time with $926 million in lifetime sales. The company generated more than $220 million in revenue that year alone.
And it didn’t stop there! Just a few months later, in March 2024, the company brought on JPMorgan Chase to explore a potential sale of the business, yet another sign of its skyrocketing value. By the end of 2024, Scrub Daddy’s annual revenue jumped to an estimated $340 million, marking 54% growth over the previous year.
From a smiling sponge to a global sensation, Scrub Daddy continues to prove it’s more than just a clever cleaning tool; it’s a powerhouse brand that just keeps growing.
Lori compliments Aaron’s inventiveness and his environmental consciousness. The Shark Tank experience has allowed Aaron to travel the world, spreading the “Scrub Daddy smile.”
Where Can You Buy It?
To buy Scrub Daddy sponges, check out their official website. You can also find the product on Amazon. Check out their social media for additional information: Facebook / Twitter.
Quick Summary
- Scrub Daddy is an efficient scrub that gets all kinds of grease off the utensils.
- It changes textures based on the temperature of the water so that you can regulate its toughness.
- Aaron Krause closed the deal with Lori.
Also read: Scrub Daddy High Tech Scrubber Cleans Up
Also read: Aaron Krause Scrub Daddy Pre-Show Interview
Curious about the other companies featured on Shark Tank Season 4, Episode 7, alongside Scrub Daddy? Check out the business updates.
