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9 FALL 2019 VANCE JACOBS the Fat Donkeylips; Daymond John was dealt the Fat Chance; and Mark Cuban ended up with the Fat Jersey. While the sharks ate and debated, Armenti and Gabauer pitched away, sharing that the business has made $22 million in lifetime sales. Though several sharks made an offer, it was Cuban who made the deal: a $250,000 investment for a 15% stake in the Shack. "Tom and I have spent so many years to build this business into what it is today," says Gabauer, "so to watch four of the five sharks competing to partner with us was truly incredible." Armenti agrees it was a May, the partners are using the investment to expand the chain, now with 14 locations, by helping fund franchises — for young, hopeful entrepreneurs like Armenti once was. They're also depending more on business strategy with Cuban's team than on whims. "We're going to grow smart and at the pace that we believe is good for us and our brand," says Armenti. And that means laying the groundwork for their ultimate goal, which is, as Gabauer puts it, "to be everywhere, in all 50 states, near all major universities." In a world of açaí smoothies and keto diets and fitness apps, Cuban, Armenti, and Gabauer are developing their plan based on the idea that fat, may indeed, be in. ■ —Maureen Harmon big moment for the sandwich shop entrepreneurs. It was a surprising move for Cuban, who has invested more often in products and businesses that support health. And there is no getting around the fact that a fat sandwich is not diet food — Armenti and Gabauer are serving up pure indulgence: "We are the Fat Shack," says Armenti unapologetically. Even the owners will tell you their sandwiches should not be staples in your diet — one sandwich could cost you up to 2,000 calories on your meal-logging app. Even so, Cuban wasn't daunted. When Armenti and Gabauer accepted his offer, he kept the close simple. "Deal," he said. "Let's go get fat." Just a few months after their Shark Tank episode aired in Armenti in the kitchen of his Wheat Ridge, Colorado, shop. "Indulgent" fast casual Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary called his Fat Shack sandwich "nasty, nasty, nasty, good." Here are three menu items, which you can finish off with deep-fried Oreos or Twinkies. FAT COW Mac 'n' cheese, bacon, french fries, mozzarella sticks, and buffalo ranch FAT JERSEY Cheesesteak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, and honey mustard DONKEYLIPS Chicken fingers, french fries, lettuce, buffalo, and bleu cheese

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