Mark Cuban is the newest investor in Fat Shack. Co-founders Tom Armenti and Kevin Gabauer appeared on the season finale of Shark Tank (aired Sunday, May 12th) and Cuban quickly signed on as an investor and mentor for the growing restaurant chain.
“The Shark Tank experience was surreal and we couldn’t have anticipated a better outcome than bringing Mark Cuban aboard in further developing and expanding our brand across the US,” says Armenti.
“It was exceptionally gratifying seeing the response, and receiving offers from four out of the five Sharks. We think Mark is the perfect fit, especially as we open more locations in his home state of Texas,” says Gabauer.
Fat Shack was originally created in February 2010 in New Jersey by Tom Armenti in response to the lack of late night food options in his college town.
He opened the first Colorado location in Fort Collins in August 2011 and brought his college friend Kevin Gabauer on board in 2013 to help position the company for growth. The Fat Sandwich (A long roll loaded with combinations of cheesesteak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, french fries and more smothered in one of their signature sauces) and the late night hours (closing as late as 4am on weekends) were an immediate success.
So the duo organized the company for franchising, opening an additional 12 locations in less than five years. They now offer a menu of delicious burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, wings, fries, popular appetizers, milkshakes and deep fried desserts (Oreos, Rice Krispies, Twinkies, cookies and cheesecake).
The newest location will open in May 2019 a block from the TCU campus in Fort Worth, Texas (2858 West Berry Street) with further locations in the works. Dine-in and Take-out are available as well as delivery through DoorDash and UberEats.
Armenti and Gabauer are dedicated to helping young entrepreneurs by mentoring and investing in their employees and preparing them for leadership roles as future franchisees. Many of their locations are owned and operated by former employees who progressed from working in the kitchen and delivering food to owning their own Fat Shack.
