Buena Papa French Fry Bar Update | Shark Tank Season 15

ByAndrew Smith

James and Johanna Windon realized they were growing fast but didn’t have enough cash to keep up the pace. So, they launched Buena Papa as a franchise-ready fry bar serving Latin-inspired loaded fries. It offers customers a fast, affordable meal with bold flavors and gives the business a clear path to scale. Can loaded fries carry them to a national brand? Let’s find out in our Buena Papa update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to Buena Papa after Shark Tank.

James and Johanna pitched their french fry franchise business on Shark Tank Season 15, seeking $400,000 for 7% equity. After their pitch, they landed a deal with Robert Herjavec for $400,000 for 19% equity.

In terms of a Buena Papa update, we’re certain that the company will receive a nice boost in sales after appearing on Shark Tank. The company continues to run three locations, with a fourth about to launch.

Shark:Result:
Robert HerjavecAccepted a deal for $400,000 for 19% equity
Kevin O’LearyNo offer
Barbara CorcoranNo offer
Lori GreinerNo offer
Mark CubanNo offer

Shark Tank Buena Papa Pitch

Shark Tank Buena Papa French Fry Bar update
  • Entrepreneurs: James and Johanna Windon
  • Business: Loaded french fry dishes
  • Ask: $400,000 for 7% equity
  • Result: $400,000 for 19% equity
  • Shark: Robert Herjavec

James and Johanna, a husband-and-wife team, entered Shark Tank asking for an investment for their business, Buena Papa.

They explained that “Buena Papa” means both “good people” and “good potato” in Colombian slang, reflecting their mission and product.

Their business takes hand-cut fries, 33 ounces per order, and tops them with Latin-inspired flavors, turning a classic side dish into the star of the meal.

The couple launched their first fry bar in July 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina, using their life savings.

Within two weeks, a viral TikTok brought in 60 million views and exploded their customer base. In addition, they now run three stores and plan a fourth in Miami.

Their product costs $3.50 to make and sells for $13.50, with a 28% margin. Their first location earned $1.1 million in its first year, and combined, they projected $2 million in sales by the time of filming.

However, when the sharks tasted the food, they immediately loved it. Mark Cuban got the sweet potato dish with salmon, guac, and pico de gallo. Everyone agreed the food tasted great.

Further, James revealed that they paid themselves $80,000 and netted $120,000 in profits.

They also started franchising. The initial franchise fee is $29,500, with an 8% royalty, 2% of which goes to marketing.

They sold four franchises in their first month. But James said relying only on profits to expand wasn’t sustainable. Banks still saw them as a startup, and they needed help to grow faster.

Barbara Corcoran asked how much debt they carried. James said $70,000.

Lori Greiner liked what they were doing, but didn’t want to speed up growth, so she was out.

Meanwhile, Mark called running restaurants and franchising “two different businesses” and passed.

Kevin O’Leary said he couldn’t support food he wouldn’t eat. Barbara believed they didn’t need a shark.

Only Robert Herjavec saw the opportunity and offered $400,000 for 20% equity. James countered at 15%. Robert refused, so they negotiated down to 19%, and Robert accepted.

They ultimately left with a deal from Robert. Keep reading our Buena Papa update to find out what happened following the show.

Shark Tank Buena Papa Update

Our Buena Papa update found that James and Johanna Windon closed their $400,000 deal with Robert Herjavec for 19% equity after Shark Tank.

Since then, they’ve focused on franchising and scaled back their company-owned locations. They closed the Durham store and now operate three: Raleigh, PNC Arena, and Wynwood in Miami.

In early 2024, they launched their first franchise in Jacksonville, NC. It sold out in 14 days. As of mid-2025, they’ve signed nine franchise agreements, with five open and more in development.

Furthermore, Buena Papa is on track to surpass $2 million in combined revenue across corporate stores. Some locations hit $1 million in annual sales. Profit details haven’t been made public.

Media coverage has grown. Buena Papa has been featured on ABC, the ACC Network, Forbes, and QSR Magazine. Their TikTok and press campaigns continue driving visibility.

As of 2025, the company is currently planning for more franchise locations.

You can view their menu and what they offer on the Buena Papa website. When we get more news about a Buena Papa update, we will let you know!

In the meantime, check out our other company updates from Season 15 Episode 4:

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 15 products.

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Andrew is a lifelong fan of Shark Tank and an entrepreneur at heart. He started Shark Tank Recap because he wanted a single place to track what happens to the companies, founders, and deals after they air on TV. With a sharp eye for business insights and a passion for all things Shark Tank, Andrew makes sure every recap is accurate, engaging, and fun.